Pirates Drop Back and Forth Rubber Match vs Cubs; Came Up Empty Late
A back and forth series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs was decided by a back and forth game at Wrigley Field in Sunday’s rubber match.
In the end, the Pirates came out on the losing end after Dansby Swanson’s sac fly in the eighth gave the Cubs a 4-3 victory.
How We Got There
Pittsburgh-native Ian Happ put the Cubs (70-53) ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the second with an RBI single to center. The Pirates (52-73) responded on Spencer Horwitz’s RBI double in the top of the third to even the score at 1-all.
Chicago jumped back ahead in the bottom of the fifth on Dansby Swanson’s double to left. Tommy Pham had trouble retrieving the ball, which allowed Happ to score from first base.
The Pirates took their first lead of the game inn the top of the sixth inning when Joey Bart doubled home a pair. Chicago drew even in the home-half of the inning on Carson Kelly’s single to center.
The Cubs loaded the bases against Isaac Mattson (3-2) with one out in the eighth, and Swanson plated Kelly for the game-winning run.
Key Moment
The Pirates had a runner on third with one out and runners on the corners with two outs in the top of the eighth but failed to score. Joey Bart struck out with Jared Triolo at third base and Ronny Simon went down on strikes to end the inning after Isiah Kiner-Falefa drew a walk.
Player of the Game
Dansby Swanson celebrated his bobblehead day by plating two runs including the decisive run in the eighth.
Stat to Know
Six of the last seven games between the Pirates and Cubs have been decided by one run.
Notable Performances
- Carmen Mlodzinski: 4.0 innings, one hit, one run (unearned), no walks, three strikeouts, 44 pitches/32 strikes
- Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 5, one double
- Joey Bart: 1 for 4, one double, two RBI
- Nick Gonzales: 2 for 4, one run
Noteworthy
- Andrew Heaney made his first relief appearance sine being shifted to the bullpen and allowed one run while recording two outs.
Up Next
The Pirates return to PNC Park on Monday to face the Blue Jays with RHP Paul Skenes (7-9, 2.13 ERA) on the mound. RHP Kevin Gausman (8-9, 3.79 ERA) starts for Toronto. First pitch: 6:40 p.m. ET.
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