The Pittsburgh Pirates have “earned” their 20th consecutive losing season.

They lost their 82nd game of the 2012 season in the 9th against the NL Central champion Cincinnati Reds. Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan gave up a game tying homerun to Reds pinch hitter Xavier Paul and game winning double by Reds rookie Zack Cozart. The Bucs lost 4-3.

Two months ago, there was so much hope as the Pirates were playing near .600 ball and had a share of the NL Wild Card. Since July 28th, the Bucs have gone 19-40. They sank below .500 ten days ago and have lost eight of eleven since.

The Bucs last winning season came in 1992 when they won their third consecutive NL East title. They were three outs away from going to the World Series in Game 7 of the NLCS against the Atlanta Braves when Pittsburgh native and ex-Buc Sid Bream made his mad dash to home.

Well, the Pirates will have to wait until next year…again.