Takeaways: Pirates rally but can't overcome slow start, lack of key hits in loss to Cardinals

With a swing and a drive to left field, it looked like the comeback might've been complete. However, Nick Gonzales' fly ball turned into a 373-foot out and another frustrating loss for the Pirates.

They showed fight by cutting a four-run deficit to one with several busy, late innings. But they couldn’t complete the comeback on Wednesday at PNC Park, dropping a 5-4 decision to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Pittsburgh scored three of its four runs in the seventh and eighth innings via three hits, four walks and Jake Mangum reaching on an error.

It was nearly enough to end a four-game losing streak. However, the Cardinals did just enough to escape with another victory, creating the chance for a sweep Thursday.

"You're talking about a matter of feet right there," Pirates manager Don Kelly said. "It's been a tough series. We need to find a way to bounce back [Thursday]. We've got Paul [Skenes] on the mound and need to find a way to get this one."

While the Pirates had nine hits, just two — Spencer Horwitz's home run and a Brandon Lowe double — went for extra bases. Pittsburgh finished one for 12 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11, continuing a season-long trend when the Pirates have struggled.

As a team, the Pirates are hitting just .229 with runners in scoring position, 25th in MLB. It's always true in baseball, but it has been especially pronounced this season when you look at how production in this area has correlated to team success.

The Pirates have also had several games recently where it's taken too long for the offense to click into gear.

"I think we just continue to go about our plan, our process and keep hammering it out," Gonzales said. "Sometimes still early in the season, facing guys for the first time, and they change. They have different pitches or their plans are a little bit different from the years prior.

"Especially in-division, just kind of taking that in, and then for the next time we face them, being able to attack that."

Those late innings

With Pirates starter Bubba Chandler out of the game, the Cardinals picked up two more runs in the seventh inning off Evan Sisk and Chris Devenski, taking advantage of a hit batter to open the frame (Victor Scott II) and getting another two-out hit.

Herrera singled through the left side. Right fielder Jordan Walker hit a middle-middle fastball from Devenski that had an exit velocity of 105.7 mph.

Those runs because important because the Pirates finally rallied in the seventh, scoring a pair of runs on a pinch-hit single from Nick Yorke. Entering the game for Lowe with a lefty on the mound, Yorke lined a low, 2-0 sinker into center to make a 5-3 game.

"Just stick with my routine every day," Yorke said. "A lot of these guys playing were in this role back in the day. I just try to pick as many brains as I can from my teammates, especially in this situations."

The Pirates got their final run in the eighth, when Oneil Cruz bounced into a fielder’s choice to Wetherholt, allowing Gonzales to cross home plate after he started the inning with a single.

How it started

St. Louis grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third after a leadoff walk by Bubba Chandler came around to score. The damage came from a familiar place, too. Mars and West Virginia product JJ Wetherholt, who's had a terrific series, lined an up-and-away heater to left for a run-scoring double.

Another two-out hit bit Chandler in the fifth, when catcher Ivan Herrera doubled, and first baseman Alec Burleson hit a hanging slider 411 feet beyond the North Side Notch for a two-run shot and a 3-0 Cardinals lead.

Chandler was OK with the pitch to Wetherholt. He hated the one he threw to Burleson.

"Potential for a really good outing turned into just a mediocre one with one pitch," Chandler said. "That one pitch was a poorly thrown baseball. Wish I could have that pitch back. But didn’t do as good as I could out there tonight. Long year. We’re learning. Baseball’s tough."

The Pirates got a run back in the fifth thanks to Horwitz, who had been hitting .313 in 10 games since April 17. Facing Cardinals starter Andre Gallant, Horwitz connected on a slider low in the zone for his third of the season, depositing it in the right-field seats.

Chandler on his start

This was definitely a better outing for Chandler, who allowed six earned runs over four innings last Thursday in Arlington, Texas. Chandler still had some control issues, but he gave the Pirates five innings of three-run ball, walking four and striking out six.

"My job is to go out there, dominate and execute to the best of my ability," Chandler said. "I didn’t necessarily do that tonight. It could have easily stopped with me. If I went out there and pitched how I can pitch, it’s probably a different game."

To his credit, Chandler used his elite changeup to finish three of his strikeouts. His slider accounted for two more. Fastball command was in and out, as Chandler took a little off to try and control it better.

The right-hander averaged 97.5 mph with his four-seamer compared to 98.7 mph on the season. Along with the strikeouts, Chandler racked up 11 whiffs on 41 swings.

Gonzales extends streak

With his single in the eighth inning, Gonzales extended his hitting streak to a career-high 10 games. After going one for five, Gonzales is now batting .450 (18 for 40) with two doubles, five RBIs and five runs scored during the streak.

Only nine players in either league have a higher batting average than Gonzales (.320).

But it was the fly ball at the end that was the toughest to swallow. Gonzales hasn't homered in more than 300 at-bats and hit a ball that would've been out of 27 of 30 parks.

"I thought I had a chance to win the game right there," Gonzales said. "It sucks.

"Wasn't really sure off the bat. Thought I got enough of it. I guess not."

Jones dominates

It didn’t happen in Pittsburgh, but its implications could involve the Major League club. Jared Jones made his first rehab start with Low-A Bradenton and … well, looked like himself, delivering three perfect innings and topping out at 101.1 mph.

Jones struck out five in his three frames and threw 30 of 41 pitches for strikes.He generated eight whiffs on 22 pitches, while his fastball averaged 99.1 mph.

Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH on X.