Pirates Fall to 0-7 Versus Cubs in 2023 with Extra-Inning Loss

RECAP

PITTSBURGH — The Chicago Cubs scored twice in the top of the 10^th inning on Ian Happ’s single and right fielder Connor Joes’ error to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4 on Thursday night at PNC Park.

Joe hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10^th to draw the Pirates within a run but they fell to 0-7 against the Cubs this season.

Thomas Hatch (1-1), who came on to start the 10^th, took the loss.

Rob Zastryzny was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis and served as the Pirates’ opener. He allowed one run in the first inning.

Andre Jackson followed Zastryzny and the Cubs scored twice in the second inning to extend their lead to 3-0. However, Jackson did not allow any more runs while pitching six innings.

Joshua Palacios’ two-run home run in the third inning off Cubs starter Justin Steele drew the Pirates (57-71) into a 3-3 tie. Neither team scored again until the 10^th.

Joe went 2 for 2 with two walks and the sac fly. The Pirates managed just six hits.

Niko Hoerner, Yan Gomes and Nick Madrigal had two hits each for the Cubs (67-60), who won for the fifth time in six games to remain in the thick of contention in the National League Central and wild card races.

Daniel Palencia (4-0) worked a scoreless ninth for the win and Adbert Alzolay recorded his 20th save.

KEY MOMENT

Happ dropped his single into right field in the 10^th inning with the score tied 3-3, one out and runners on second and third. Happ drove in Mike Tauchman and Dansby Swanson also scored when Joe bobbled the ball.

STAR OF THE GAME

Hoerner was 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI.

STAT OF INTEREST

Zastryzny became the 14^th different pitcher to start a game for the Pirates this season. His only other start in the major leagues was for the Cubs on Sept. 29, 2016, against the Pirates at PNC Park.

NOTEWORTHY

–Jackson became the second Pirates pitcher to work at least six innings in relief this season. Left-hander Bailey Falter also pitched six innings Monday in a win over the St. Louis Cardinals. This marks the first season the Pirates have had multiple relievers pitch at least six innings in a game since 1984 when Don Robinson did it twice and Cecelio Guante did so once.

–Palacios’ home run bounced into the Allegheny River as he became the third hitter to reach the water this season, joining former Pirates first baseman Carlos Santana and the Toronto Blue Jays’ Daulton Varsho.

–Joe is 12 for 29 (.414) in his last nine games and has reached base in 13 of his last 19 plate appearances.

–Palacios finished 1 for 5 and is 4 for 44 (.091) in his last 13 games, though the four hits have been for extra bases with three home runs and a double.

–Zastryzny’s contract was selected from Indianapolis and reliever Yohan Ramirez was optioned to Indy. Left-handed reliever Angel Perdomo was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL to open a spot on the 40-man roster.

UP NEXT

Mitch Keller (10-8, 4.22) will pitch for the Pirates against Kyle Hendricks (5-6, 3.83) at 7:05 p.m. Friday in the second game of the four-game series. Keller won for the first time in nine starts last Saturday when he held the Twins to two runs in six innings while striking out 10 in Minnesota. Hendricks ended a four-start winless drought Sunday when he limited the Kansas City Royals to one run in 6.1 innings.