Pirates Clobbered by Cubs 11-3 Despite Two HRs From Jack Suwinski

Recap

Despite a pair of home runs from Jack Suwinski, the Pittsburgh Pirates (34-31) were defeated 11-3 by the Chicago Cubs (29-37) at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night.

Suwinski hit a solo homer in the top of the first inning and connected on a 425-foot home run down the right field line in the sixth inning for his second of the game. Suwinski now has 15 home runs on the season, which is tied for eighth in the National League.

Pittsburgh-native Ian Happ hit a three-run home run in the first inning off of Pirates starter Luis Ortiz (1-3) to help carry the Cubs to the win. Christopher Morel’s three-run home run in the eighth inning served as the exclamation point for Chicago.

Former Pirates’ pitcher Jameson Taillon (2-4) was the starter for the Cubs and held his former club to three runs across six innings pitched.

Key Moment

Happ’s three-run homer gave the Cubs an early lead and the Pirates were not able to jump out in front at any point during the rest of the game.

Star of the Game

Suwinski’s two-homer performance and was on base four times in his hometown of Chicago while anchoring the three-spot in the Pirates’ lineup.

Hidden Stat

It was the fourth time this season and the fifth time overall that Suwinski has recorded a multi-homer game. The others — June 19, 2022  vs. SF (3 HRs), and this year on Apr. 18 @ COL, May 26 @ SEA and May 29 @ SF.

Noteworthy 

• Entering play, the Pirates had won seven-straight games against the National League Central, their longest streak since 2018.
• Suwinski now has three home runs in five career at-bats against Taillon. Suwinski also homered off of the right-hander last year at PNC Park while Taillon was with the Yankees.
• With a single in the top of the third inning, Bryan Reynolds extended his hitting streak to six games and has at least one hit in eight of his last nine contests.
• The start of the game was delayed by over an hour due to rain.

Up Next

The Pirates and Cubs will continue this three-game set on Wednesday night at Wrigley Field. Neither club has announced a starter as of yet. First pitch: 8:05 ET.