Cubs vs Pirates Recap: Cubs Roll to 7-2 Win

The Chicago Cubs came to PNC Park with a mission. After pounding the Pirates 10-4 the night before, they wanted to keep their winning streak alive. Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes took the mound as the home team's ace. In the fourth inning, the Cubs made their move. Michael Busch raced home on a single by Seiya Suzuki, giving Chicago an early 1-0 lead. Two innings later, Ian Happ drove an infield single up the middle. Busch scored again on a throwing error by Pirates shortstop Jared Triolo. Just moments after, Suzuki grounded into a fielder's choice, and Bregman sprinted home. The Cubs now led 3-0. Pittsburgh's bats stayed quiet while Skenes threw hard on the mound. Chicago's pitching staff, led by starter Colin Rea, kept the Pirates in check early.

Bryan Reynolds answered back for Pittsburgh in the bottom of the sixth. The Pirates' right fielder crushed a fastball deep to right field. The ball rocketed 400 feet over the wall for a solo home run. One-nothing became one-one. The Cubs were not done yet. In the eighth inning, Ian Happ stepped up and launched a massive two-run shot to right-center field. The ball traveled 403 feet. Bregman came home with him, and suddenly Chicago led 5-1. Pittsburgh fought back when Tyler Callihan doubled to center, bringing Jhostynxon Garcia home. The score sat 5-2. But the Cubs kept adding. A wild pitch and a passed ball by Pirates catcher Henry Davis allowed Suzuki to score. Chicago stretched its lead to 6-2, and the Pirates could not catch up.

The Chicago Cubs finished what they started at PNC Park. By the ninth inning, they had built a 7-2 lead that Pittsburgh could not overcome. Alex Bregman reached on a fielder's choice, and Pete Crow-Armstrong scored one last run. The Pirates' bats went silent. Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh's star pitcher, took the loss despite striking out 10 batters. Colin Rea earned the win for Chicago, giving up just two runs through five and a third innings. The Cubs improved to 32-26 and kept their winning streak alive at two games. Pittsburgh fell to 29-29 with back-to-back losses. The Cubs' balance of solid pitching and timely hitting proved too much for the home team. Chicago showed why they believe they can compete for the division.