Pirates shut out Cubs 5-0 in dominant home victory
- Paul Skenes pitched five innings for the Pirates, allowing four hits and striking out six batters.
- The Pirates scored two runs in the third inning and added three more in the seventh with Jared Triolo's home run.
- This victory marked the Cubs' second consecutive loss in the series, leaving them 4.5 games back in the NL wild card race.
On Tuesday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates secured a decisive 5-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Paul Skenes, despite facing challenges with his control, pitched five solid innings, allowing four hits and walking four batters while striking out six. He managed to escape bases-loaded situations in the first two innings, showcasing his resilience on the mound. After Skenes exited, the Pirates' bullpen, consisting of Colin Holderman, Carmen Mlodzinski, and David Bednar, maintained the shutout by allowing just one hit over four innings. The Cubs, who had been on a six-game winning streak, struggled to find their rhythm against the Pirates' pitching. Chicago's starting pitcher, Kyle Hendricks, struck out five batters but allowed two runs in five innings of work. His performance came after Justin Steele was sidelined due to elbow soreness, which added pressure on the Cubs' pitching staff. Pittsburgh took the lead in the third inning with two runs, highlighted by Rowdy Tellez's RBI single. The game was further sealed in the seventh inning when Jared Triolo hit a three-run homer, extending the Pirates' lead. This victory marked a significant setback for the Cubs, who are now 4.5 games behind in the race for the final National League wild card spot. As the series continues, the Pirates have claimed the upper hand, winning the first two games against the Cubs. The teams are tied at six wins each in their season series, making the upcoming match crucial for both sides as they vie for playoff positioning.