The latest installment of the **Cubs vs. Pirates** rivalry at PNC Park delivered high drama and clutch performances, culminating in a decisive 7-2 victory for the Chicago Cubs. This win allowed the Cubs to split the four-game series in the Steel City, showcasing their resilience after dropping the first two contests. As seen in the highlight reel above, the game was a compelling showcase of dominant pitching, timely hitting, and critical defensive moments.
Skenes’ Early Dominance on the Mound for the Pirates
Pittsburgh’s ace, Paul Skenes, took the mound for his 12th start of the season, marking his 67th career appearance. His season ERA stood at an impressive 3.00, with a career earned run average of 2.13. Early on, Skenes lived up to his billing, completely stifling the Cubs’ lineup.
He began by striking out four of the first five Cubs batters, showcasing his explosive fastball, which touched 99 mph, and an unhittable sweeper. By the third inning, Skenes had fanned six consecutive batters, racking up a total of seven strikeouts through just three frames. This early performance truly set a challenging tone for the Cubs’ offense.
Colin Rea’s Resilient Performance for the Chicago Cubs
Countering Skenes’ brilliance, Cubs’ right-hander Colin Rea delivered a crucial performance. Rea, who had pitched a season-high seven innings against the Astros in his previous outing, demonstrated improved command and an elevated ground ball rate this season. His ability to work out of jams proved instrumental.
Despite the Pirates putting runners in scoring position, Rea consistently made key pitches. He completed five scoreless innings, stranding multiple runners and maintaining a tight game through the middle frames. Notably, Rea managed to strike out Jared Triolo after falling behind 3-0, highlighting his composure and effective off-speed pitches under pressure.
Cubs’ Offense Breaks Through Against Skenes
The **Cubs Pirates game** remained a scoreless pitching duel until the fourth inning. Chicago finally managed to scratch across a run against Skenes, beginning with a walk and a flair infield single. This set the stage for Seiya Suzuki, who, despite entering the game with a .102 batting average with runners in scoring position—the second-lowest in all of baseball—delivered a clutch RBI single.
Suzuki’s inside breaking ball, which stayed over the plate, was hit perfectly over the shortstop’s head, scoring Michael Busch from third. This pivotal hit not only gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead but also demonstrated their ability to capitalize on rare opportunities against an elite pitcher. Ian Happ also advanced from first to third on the play, putting more pressure on the Pirates’ defense.
Pirates’ Fight Back with Key Hits
The Pirates’ offense showed signs of life, fueled by veteran Bryan Reynolds. Reynolds, who was on a six-game hitting streak entering the game, continued his hot streak with an early double. In the bottom of the sixth inning, he launched his fifth home run of the year, a deep drive to right field on a 0-2 count, bringing the Pirates back into the game and making the score 3-1.
Later in the same inning, in his Pirates debut, Tyler Callahan delivered a crucial RBI double. Acquired from the Reds, Callahan battled with two strikes against a tough left-on-left matchup before smoking a ball to right-center. This hit scored a runner and cut the Cubs’ lead to 3-2. The play also involved a collision in the outfield between Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong, underscoring the intensity of the moment.
Cubs Seal the Victory with Timely Hitting and Smart Base Running
The Cubs extended their lead in the seventh inning thanks to a series of Pirates’ errors and clutch hitting. After back-to-back errors and a walk, the Pirates brought in reliever Mason Montgomery. However, Seiya Suzuki, showing tremendous hustle, legged out an infield hit that scored another run, pushing the lead to 4-2. This play exemplified the Cubs’ determination to turn even seemingly routine plays into scoring opportunities.
The momentum continued into the eighth inning. Ian Happ, who had already reached base twice, blasted his 12th home run of the year—a two-run shot deep to right field. This “line drive bullet” further stretched the lead to 5-2. Following a walk and a wild pitch, Miguel Amaya scored, giving the Cubs a commanding 6-2 advantage. The final run came in the ninth on a controversial play at the plate where Pete Crow-Armstrong was initially called out but then ruled safe after a successful challenge, pushing the score to 7-2. This excellent base running by Crow-Armstrong sealed the impressive **Cubs vs. Pirates** victory.
Extra Innings: Your Cubs vs. Pirates Q&A
What was the final score of the Cubs vs. Pirates game?
The Chicago Cubs defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates with a final score of 7-2.
Who were the starting pitchers for each team?
Paul Skenes pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Colin Rea pitched for the Chicago Cubs.
Did any players hit home runs in the game?
Yes, Bryan Reynolds hit a home run for the Pirates, and Ian Happ hit a two-run home run for the Cubs.
What was the significance of this win for the Cubs?
This victory allowed the Chicago Cubs to split the four-game series against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.