Henry Davis Doubles in First AB but Pirates Blanked 8-0 by Cubs

RECAP

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ losing streak reached a season-high seven games Monday night as they lost to the Chicago Cubs 8-0 at PNC Park in the opener of a three-game series and six-game homestand.

The most notable aspect of the game for the Pirates (34-37) was Henry Davis making his major-league debut less than two years after being the first overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft. Rather than starting at catcher, Davis played right field and went 1 for 3 with a double and a walk.

Osvaldo Bido (0-1) pitched six solid innings, allowing three runs and five hits, but took the loss in his second big-league start. He struck out seven and walked two.

Bido gave up all three runs in the second inning as Mike Tauchman hit a two-run single and Nico Hoerner followed with an RBI single for the Cubs (34-38), who won for the sixth time in seven games. Tauchman had three hits.

KEY MOMENT

Down 3-0 in the fifth inning, the Pirates loaded the bases with two outs. However, Carlos Santana popped out to first base to end the threat.

STAR OF THE GAME

Cubs left-hander Drew Smyly (7-4) pitched five shaky yet scoreless innings for the win. He walked five but allowed just three hits while striking out four. He combined with Michael Fulmer, Julian Merryweather and Michael Rucker on a five-hit shutout.

STAT OF INTEREST

Davis became the 11^th Pirates player since 1984 to have an extra-base hit in his first career plate appearance when he doubled off Smyly in the third inning. Canaan Smith-Njigba doubled in his first at-bat on June 14, 2022 at St. Louis.

NOTEWORTHY

–Bido became the seventh Pirates pitcher since 1901 to have six or more strikeouts in his first two major-league starts. The last to do so was Nick Kingham in 2018.

–Andrew McCutchen and Bryan Reynolds, the top two hitters in batting order, each drew two walks.

–Davis was officially selected from Triple-A Indianapolis’ roster before the game and infielder Mark Mathias was optioned to the same club. Right-hander Elijah Villalobos was designated for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster.

UP NEXT

The middle game of the series is set for 7:05 p.m. Tuesday with Johan Oviedo (3-6, 4.40) pitching for the Pirates against Marcus Stroman (8-4, 2.45). Oviedo has lost his last three decisions since beating the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 19. Stroman has won six straight starts since that same date.