Pirates, David Bednar Lose Duel With Cubs’ Mt. Lebanon Alumni Ian Happ

The Pittsburgh Pirates fell 3-2 to the Chicago Cubs in ten innings on Sunday, June 13, dropping the game and the series on a walk-off hit from Steel City native Ian Happ. David Bednar, who grew up with Happ in Mt. Lebanon, a southern suburb of Pittsburgh, blew the save.

After scoring two runs on three hits in the first inning, the Pirates’ (29-44) offense managed just one hit the rest of the way, never advancing a runner past first base. Even with an automatic runner on second in extra innings, weak contact gave Pittsburgh no chance of scratching a run across.

During the bottom of the tenth inning, manager Don Kelly elected to intentionally walk Chicago star Kyle Tucker, a pinch-hitter, to set up a double play opportunity. Instead, the Cubs worked a double steal, then won on Happ’s single to right over a five man infield trying to set up a play at the plate.

After the Pirates’ first inning rally — singles from Oneil Cruz, Nick Gonzales and Spencer Horwitz made it 1-0, then an Alexander Canario ground out added another run.

Chicago promptly tied the game against Mitch Keller thanks to small ball from Happ, who walked, stole second, then advanced the final 180 feet after a pair of groundouts. A ground rule double and a single made it 2-2.

Keller rebounded for a quality start, allowing two runs across six innings on an economical 88 pitches.

The Cubs nearly won it with two outs in the ninth after Dansby Swanson singled and Nico Hoerner doubled, but Dennis Santana induced a ground ball to Ke’Bryan Hayes to keep Pittsburgh alive.

Up next, the Pirates will face the Tigers in Detroit for a three game series beginning at 6:40 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17.