Pirates Blanked Again by Cubs 4-0, Skid Reaches Eight

RECAP

The Pittsburgh Pirates not only can’t win a game, but they can’t even score a run.

The Pirates lost to the Cubs 4-0 on Tuesday night at PNC Park, the second straight night they were shut out by Chicago. The Pirates (34-38) saw their losing streak reach eight games with five of the defeats coming against the Cubs.

The Pirates have gone 24 innings since last scoring a run Sunday at Milwaukee.

Ke’Bryan Hayes and Connor Joe each had two hits for the Pirates, who were held to a total of five. Johan Oviedo (3-7) lost his fourth straight decision despite allowing just two runs in seven innings while surrendering five hits, striking out three and walking none.

The Cubs (35-38) have won seven of their last eight games and nine of their last 11.

KEY MOMENT

Trailing 2-0, the Pirates put runners on first and second with two outs in the seventh inning. However, pinch-hitter Cal Mitchell struck out against Marcus Stroman to end the threat after being recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis earlier in the day.

STAR OF THE GAME

Stroman (9-4) pitched his second shutout of the season and third of his nine-year career. He struck out five and walked one while winning his seventh straight start.

STAT OF INTEREST

The Pirates have scored 17 total runs during their losing streak.

NOTEWORTHY

–Outfielder Bryan Reynolds was not in the lineup because of tightness in his lower back. However, the Pirates do not believe Reynolds will need to be placed on the injured list. To have an extra position player, the Pirates recalled Mitchell and optioned reliever Yohan Ramirez to Indianapolis. Mitchell was hitting .276 with seven home runs and 42 RBIs in 64 games with Indianapolis.

–Henry Davis was the designated hitter in his second career game and went 0 for 4.

–The Pirates have scored 17 runs during the losing streak.

–Hayes is hitting .449 (22 for 49) in his last 12 games at PNC Park.

–Joe had been hitless in his last 13 at-bats before doubling in the second inning.

–Jack Suwinski extended his hitless streak to 19 at-bats by going 0 for 4.

–The Cubs got solo home runs from Tucker Barnhart off Oviedo and Mike “The Sock Man” Tauchman off Dauri Moreta.

–Former Pirates manager Jim Leyland was honored in a pre-game ceremony for his induction into the Irish-American Baseball Hall of Fame.

–The Pirates had been 7-0 against fellow National League Central teams at PNC Park this season before losing to the Cubs 8-0 on Monday night.

–Right fielder Henry Davis and left-handed reliever Ryan Borucki became the 42^nd and 43^rd players to appear for the Pirates this season in Monday’s game. The Los Angeles Angels have used an MLB-high 47 players.

UP NEXT

Left-hander Rich Hill starts for the Pirates against Kyle Hendricks (2-2, 3.18) at 12:35 p.m. Wednesday in the finale of the three-game series.

Hill is 3-3 with a 4.60 ERA in eight starts at PNC Park this season. Hendricks has won his last two starts, allowing two runs in 13 innings.