PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates played poor defense behind Paul Skenes, and Ian Happ put the game out of reach with another home run for a 7-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on Thursday night.
Scoring Plays
Top 4th, 1-0 CHC: The Cubs (31-26) took the first lead of the game when Seiya Suzuki blooped an RBI single into shallow left field off Paul Skenes (6-5).
Top 6th, 3-0 CHC: Michael Busch scored from third on an Ian Happ infield single plus a Jared Triolo throwing error at short. After Skenes left the game for Mason Montgomery, the Cubs tacked on another when Suzuki beat out a double-play ball to bring home Alex Bregman from third.
Bottom 6th, 3-2 CHC: Bryan Reynolds hit his first home run since May 1, a solo shot to right field off Cubs starter Colin Rea (5-3). Later in the inning, Tyler Callihan ripped an RBI double to right-center off lefty reliever Hoby Milner to bring the Pirates (29-28) within a run.
Top 8th, 6-2 CHC: Happ homered for the second straight game, this one a two-run shot off Brandan Bidois to give the Cubs some wiggle room. Later in the inning, Suzuki scored on a passed ball charged to Henry Davis.
Top 9th, 7-2 CHC: Bregman hit a grounder to first baseman Spencer Horwitz, who fired home attempting to get Pete Crow-Armstrong at the plate. The throw was on time, and Crow-Armstrong was originally ruled out, but a Cuba challenge reveled he avoided the tag on the slide. Yohan Ramírez was on the mound.
Key Moments
The Pirates committed a pair of errors in the sixth inning, which led to a pair of Cubs runs. Third baseman Tyler Callihan was charged with a throwing error before shortstop Jared Triolo was one batter later.
The Pirates had a late scoring chance when they were trailing by a run in the bottom of the seventh, but Caleb Thielbar struck out Oneil Cruz on a 3-2 pitch with two runners on and two outs.
Player of the Game
Who else but Ian Happ? The Pittsburgh-native again torched his former team, finishing 3 for 5 with a home run and two RBI. Happ has reached base safely in 41 straight games at PNC Park, which dates back to April 10, 2021.
Stat to Know
The Pirates have not won a series against the Cubs at PNC Park since winning three of four games from June 20-23, 2022. Pittsburgh had won five of its first six series against the National League Central to begin this season.
Notable Performances
- Paul Skenes: 5.1 innings, four hits, three runs (one earned), three walks, 10 strikeouts, 103 pitches/62 strikes
- Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 3, one home run, one RBI, one run, one walk
- Tyler Callihan: 1 for 2, one double, one RBI, one walk
Noteworthy
- Paul Skenes’ 10 strikeouts matched a season-high. He also struck out 10 against the Rockies on May 12.
- Tyler Callihan, who replaced Nick Gonzales in the top of the fourth inning, was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis prior to the start of the game. Gonzales left the game as a precaution due to left knee discomfort, which stemmed from Wednesday’s foul ball. His status is day-to-day.
- SS Konnor Griffin (right forearm soreness) was out of the starting lineup but was available off the bench. Jared Triolo started in his place.
- The Pirates optioned OF Esmerlyn Valdez to Indianapolis.
Up Next
RHP Jared Jones (right elbow surgery) will make his season debut for the Pirates against the Twins at PNC Park on Friday night. RHP Taj Bradley (5-1, 2.77 ERA) gets the ball for Minnesota. First pitch: 6:45 p.m. ET on Apple TV/93.7 The Fan.
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