Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole didn't factor into the decision Sunday, giving up one earned run on four hits in seven innings while striking out 12, but the Pirates fell 4-1 to the Reds to lose a chance at taking the NL Central title.
Cole did everything he needed to put the Pirates within a half-game of the Cardinals, but the bullpen betrayed the starter after he left the game with the score tied 1-1. The Pirates will face the Giants in the Wild Card game. Cole ends the regular season with a 3.65 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 138:40 K:BB ratio in 138 innings.