Article: Missed opportunities lead to another Pirates loss

MIAMI -- Score with the bases loaded and no outs in the first inning, and the Pirates might have avoided their 26th one-run loss of the season in a 5-4 defeat against the Florida Marlins on Sunday.

Come away with a clutch two-out hit with the bases loaded in the fourth inning, and the Pirates might not have lost for the 65th time in 100 games.

Instead, the Pirates had to rally for a run in the ninth inning.

Even in that inning, they left the bases loaded when veteran Jose Hernandez fanned against struggling Florida closer Joe Borowski.

So, instead of attempting to save a victory, closer Mike Gonzalez was left to hold a 4-4 tie.

He didn't.

Like many closers, Gonzalez just isn't the same ...

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