Pirates rally in eighth to defeat Cubs 5-3 at home

On Monday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates staged a remarkable comeback against the Chicago Cubs, overcoming a 3-0 deficit to secure a 5-3 victory. The Cubs had just returned home after an impressive 8-1 road trip, hoping to continue their momentum in the race for the third NL wild card. However, they squandered their lead in the eighth inning, where the Pirates capitalized on three consecutive hits against pitcher Jorge López. Bryan Reynolds tied the game with a homer, followed by Andrew McCutchen's go-ahead shot, extending his hitting streak to 14 games. The Cubs initially took control of the game, with Dansby Swanson hitting a home run and Ian Happ contributing two runs with a triple. Jameson Taillon delivered a strong performance, pitching seven innings with only three hits allowed. Despite this, the Cubs' inability to maintain their lead proved costly, as they fell further behind in the wild card standings. The Pirates' victory marked only their second win in seven games, providing a much-needed boost after a recent three-game sweep by the Cubs. Rookie Jared Jones, making his second start after a lengthy injury, allowed three runs over 6 1/3 innings, showcasing his potential despite the challenges. Looking ahead, the Pirates are set to face Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks in the next game, while the Cubs will need to regroup quickly to stay competitive in the playoff race. The outcome of this game highlights the unpredictable nature of baseball and the importance of capitalizing on scoring opportunities.