PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Pirates have spent all season relying on a remarkable resiliency that enables them to brush off adversity and get back to the cumbersome task of returning the franchise to the playoffs and respectability.

The final steps may be the hardest of all.

San Diego’s Logan Forsythe and Rene Rivera delivered consecutive RBI singles in the ninth inning off Pirates closer Mark Melancon and the Padres rallied for a 3-2 victory on Wednesday night.

“Just got to tip your hat, they put the ball in play and found some holes,” Melancon said after blowing his third save. “They did a good job. Sometimes it happens that way.”

Pittsburgh’s magic number to clinch its first playoff berth in 21 years dropped to five when Atlanta beat Washington, but the Pirates dropped two games behind St. Louis, which beat Colorado 4-3, for first place in the NL Central. The Pirates have dropped three straight against the NL West also-rans, none more painful than this one.

Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run homer off Tyson Ross with one out in the seventh to give the Pirates their first lead of the series and set the stage for an emotional victory. Pittsburgh came in 74-2 when leading after eight innings.

Not this time.

Forsythe’s single to right scored pinch runner Andrew Cashner to tie the game and Rivera’s blooper brought home Chris Denorfia as the Padres improved to 31-10 at PNC Park since it opened in 2001. Dale Thayer (3-5) picked up the win in relief. Huston Street pitched a perfect ninth for his 33rd save.

“It was something special,” Rivera said. “We battled all game and we came through.”

Melancon (2-2) had been lights out since taking over for Jason Grilli after the All-Star went down with a strained right forearm in July.

He had converted 16 of 18 opportunities on the season, one of the main reasons the Pirates are in the midst of an actual pennant race for the first time in two decades.

Diamondbacks 9, Dodgers 4

In Phoenix, Paul Goldschmidt homered and the Diamondbacks blew the game open late to prevent Los Angeles from clinching the NL West title.

Goldschmidt’s opposite-field two-run shot off Stephen Fife (4-4) in the first inning moved him into the NL lead with 34 home runs.

Braves 5 Nationals 2

In Washington, Justin Upton and Dan Uggla each homered in a three-run sixth inning, and the Braves rallied past the Nationals, lowering their magic number for clinching the NL East title to two games.

Brian McCann and Jordan Schafer also drove in runs as the Braves snapped a three-game skid. Atlanta has not won the division since 2005, the last of 11 straight titles.

Cardinals 4, Rockies 3

In Denver, Adam Wainwright pitched effectively into the eighth after a shaky start and helped himself at the plate with three hits as the Cardinals beat the Rockies to expand their lead in the NL Central race.

Marlins 4, Phillies 3 (10)

In Philadelphia, Ed Lucas homered in the 10th inning to lift the Marlins to a victory over the Phillies.

Philadelphia loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the inning but could not score after Roger Bernadina struck out and Freddy Galvis grounded out to end it.

Mets 5, Giants 4

In New York, Josh Satin hit a two-run single to cap a four-run rally in the ninth inning that sent the Mets past San Francisco.

Shut down by Matt Cain for almost eight innings, the makeshift Mets lineup put together a surprising comeback. Pinch hitter Zach Lutz had an RBI double and Juan Centeno, making his major league debut, knocked in a run with a single off closer Sergio Romo (4-8).

Brewers 7, Cubs 0

In Milwaukee, Sean Halton hit his first career grand slam, Tyler Thornburg allowed just two singles over six innings, and the Brewers beat the Cubs.

Norichika Aoki went 0-for-3, was hit by a pitch, and scored a run for Milwaukee.

INTERLEAGUE

Reds 6, Astros 5 (13)

In Houston, Jay Bruce’s two-run double in the 13th inning put Cincinnati ahead for good.

Rookie base-stealing specialist Billy Hamilton got his first three career hits, had four steals and scored the go-ahead run in his first major league start.