Jack Suwinski’s Hometown Heroics Lift Pirates to Win Over Cubs; Losing Streak Snapped

Danny Demilio   |  

Aug 15, 2025

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It’s been a frustrating couple years for Jack Suwinski, but hitting the go-ahead home run in the ninth inning in your hometown has to feel good.

Suwinski’s opposite-field solo shot off Daniel Palencia lifted the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon.

How We Got There

Andrew McCutchen gave the Pirates (52-71) a 1-0 lead with an RBI double in the top of the fourth off Cubs starter Colin Rea. The Cubs (68-53)  answered in the home-half of the inning on Pete Crow-Armstrong’s RBI single to right.

The Pirates reclaimed a one-run lead in the top of the seventh on Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s RBI double only to allow the Cubs to tie the game in the bottom of the inning.

The score remained there until Suwinski’s 376-foot home run. Dennis Santana sealed the win and improved to 4-4 on the season to snap the Pirates’ five-game losing streak.

Key Moment

The Cubs had the bases loaded with nobody out in the seventh inning, but Isaac Mattson did a great job in limiting the damage to just one run.

Player of the Game

Braxton Ashcraft made his third-career start and held the Cubs to one run across a career-high five innings.

Stat to Know

Jack Suwinski’s home run was only the third Daniel Palencia (1-3) allowed since the start of last season — a total of 52 appearances and 58.1 innings.

Notable Performances

• Braxton Ashcraft: 5.0 innings, three hits, one run, no walks, four strikeouts, 61 pitches/41 strikes
• Jack Suwinski: 1 for 3, one home run, one RBI, one run
• Jared Triolo: 2 for 4, one run

Noteworthy

• Henry Davis threw out two attempting base stealers, including Pete Crow-Armstrong in the bottom of the ninth following a leadoff single.
• The Pirates recalled LHP Evan Sisk and RHP Colin Holderman from Triple-A Indianapolis. RHP Cam Sanders was optioned and LHP Ryan Borucki was designated for assignment.

Up Next

RHP Mike Burrows (1-4, 4.66 ERA) stars for the Pirates in the second game of the series on Saturday afternoon. LHP Shota Imanaga (8-5, 3.19 ERA) goes for the Cubs. First pitch: 2:20 p.m. ET.