‘And they go defeated second year in a row…’ Pirates’ fans stream across the Clemente Bridge after the Pirates lost 4-0 to the Cubs in the National League wild-card game. (Julia Rendleman/Post-Gazette)
Cubs celebrate their 4-0 shutout victory over the Pirates at PNC Park. (John Heller/Post-Gazette)
Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta is congratulated by teammate Anthony Rizzo after the wild-card game win. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)
Oy, there is no hope.
Katie Frank, 28, of Gibsonia, shows her disappointment Wednesday as the seventh inning draws to a close. (Julia Rendleman/Post-Gazette)
Ryan McAllister, 28, of Youngstown, Ohio watches the NL wild- game Wednesday at PNC Park. (Julia Rendleman/Post-Gazette)
Pedro Alvarez dives into the photo well but cannot make a play on a ball Wednesday against the Cubs. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)
Gregory Polanco, right, makes a catch during Wednesday’s game. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
The home-plate umpire separates Jake Arrieta and Francisco Cervelli after Tony Watson hit Arrieta with a pitch. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Pedro Alvarez throws from his knees to get Miguel Montero out in the seventh inning of Wednesday’s game at PNC Park. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Fans start to lose hope. (Julia Rendleman/Post-Gazette)
Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage and catcher Francisco Cervelli talk to pitcher Gerrit Cole on the mound during the National League wild-card game Wednesday. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)
Boaters take in the wild-card game from the Allegheny River Wednesday night outside of PNC Park. (Julia Rendleman/Post-Gazette)
Max Salley, 27, of South Side, cheers on the Pirates from the 300 level of PNC Park. (Julia Rendleman/Post-Gazette)
For some, it was standing room only Wednesday night at PNC Park. (Julia Rendleman/Post-Gazette)
Pirates fan Mark Lamendola, of Mt. Lebanon, cheers on the team during the wild-card game against the Cubs. ( John Heller/Post-Gazette)
Silhouettes of baseball caps against Mount Washington from inside PNC Park on Wednesday during the National League wild-card game. (Julia Rendleman/Post-Gazette)
The Cubs’ Dexter Fowler celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run in the fifth inning. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole sits in the dugout Wednesday night. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)
Gerrit Cole hangs his head after giving up an RBI Wednesday. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)
Cubs outfielder Dexter Fowler slides safely into second base during the National League wild-card game at PNC Park. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)
Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole delivers a pitch against the Cubs. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)
Pedro Alverez strikes out in the third inning Wednesday. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Cubs fans celebrate after Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run homer in the third inning. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Dexter Fowler scores in the first inning in front of Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
The Cubs’ Kyle Schwarber rounds third base after hitting a homer against Gerrit Cole in the third inning. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
The Cubs’ Dexter Fowler steals second base on Josh Harrison in the first inning Wednesday. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Gerrit Cole delivers the first pitch of Wednesday’s game against the Cubs. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Andrew McCutchen hugs his mother, Petrina, after she sang “The Star Spangled Banner” before the start of the National League wild-card game Wednesday at PNC Park. (Julia Rendleman/Post-Gazette)
Petrina McCutchen, Andrew McCutchen’s mother, sings “The Star Spangled Banner” before Wednesday’s game. (Julia Rendleman/Post-Gazette)
Louis Lambros “Bucco Louie” of Mt. Lebanon cheers for the Pirates from his perch on the Clemente Bridge before the start of the National League wild-card game. (Julia Rendleman/Post-Gazette)
Shaler fans Anthony Febbraro, left, and his wife, Roseanna, right, tailgate before the Pirates vs. Cubs wild-card game at PNC Park. (John Heller/Post-Gazette)
Captain Stanwix, or Adam DeFlorio, of Visit Pittsburgh waves the Jolly Roger before the start of the National League wild-card game outside of PNC Park. (Julia Rendleman/Post-Gazette)
A young Pedro Alvarez fan roots on his Pirates Wednesday night as they prepare for their team’s wild-card game against the Cubs at PNC Park. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle didn’t start Aramis Ramirez, left, and Pedro Alvarez on Wednesday night. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)
Injured Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang waves a towel as he is introduced with the rest of the Bucs beforeWednesday’s game. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)
