Our Pittsburgh Pirates fought hard, with rookie Braxton Ashcraft delivering a brilliant start on the mound! But a late surge from the St. Louis Cardinals left the Bucs wanting. Was this a sign of future potential or just a tough break for the team?

The Pittsburgh Pirates, despite a promising outing from rookie right-handed pitcher Braxton Ashcraft, ultimately succumbed to a 4-1 defeat against the St. Louis Cardinals in the series finale at Busch Stadium. This loss underscored a recurring theme for the Pirates: stellar individual performances often overshadowed by collective struggles from the offense and bullpen, leaving fans to ponder what might have been.

Ashcraft, making a notable impression, delivered two pristine, scoreless innings to kick off his appearance, showcasing the potential that has generated considerable buzz among the team’s faithful. His composure on the mound and ability to navigate early Cardinal batters provided a much-needed stability for the Pirates, hinting at a bright future for the young hurler in Major League Baseball.

However, the Cardinals managed to break the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third inning. Ashcraft conceded a single to center fielder Lars Nootbaar, who then advanced on a double from designated hitter Iván Herrera. Nootbaar swiftly crossed the plate, leveling the score at 1-1, though Herrera’s aggressive attempt to reach third base was thwarted by the Pirates’ defense.

The rookie continued to battle, facing down the St. Louis lineup with determination. He gave up a leadoff single in the bottom of the sixth inning but quickly recovered, securing two crucial outs before Pirates manager Don Kelly made the strategic decision to end his impressive outing. Ashcraft’s performance, marked by control and resilience, was undoubtedly a highlight for the Pittsburgh club.

Relief pitcher Osvaldo Ramírez entered the game in a high-leverage situation, tasked with maintaining the precarious tie. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, Ramírez’s tenure began with difficulty, as he hit Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras. While he managed to induce a line out from third baseman Nolan Gorman to conclude the sixth, the stage was set for further St. Louis aggression.

The seventh inning proved to be the turning point that sealed the Pirates’ fate. Ramírez issued a walk to shortstop Masyn Winn to start the frame, followed by a double from second baseman Thomas Saggese. The decisive blow came moments later when right fielder Jordan Walker launched a two-run home run, propelling the St. Louis Cardinals to a commanding 4-1 lead that the Pirates offense could not overcome.

This particular series concluded with Pittsburgh holding an 8-6 record against St. Louis in 2025, a mark that continues their recent positive trend against their divisional rivals. Their last winning percentage above .500 against the Cardinals was in 2023, with an overall 9-4 record, demonstrating a consistent competitive spirit in this fierce divisional matchup.

Ultimately, while Braxton Ashcraft’s stellar pitching offered a glimpse of the Pirates’ promising future, the collective struggles in both the bullpen and at the plate proved too much to overcome. This latest defeat against the St. Louis Cardinals serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead for Pittsburgh as they strive for greater consistency and capitalize on their emerging talents.