The Pirates avoided a sweep in dramatic fashion, but Chicago still took the series. The Cubs opened with a 3-to-2 win in 10 innings Friday, then blew the doors off Saturday, routing Pittsburgh 11-to-nothing in a rough outing for ace Paul Skenes.
Sunday belonged to the Pirates, though — and to Ryan O’Hearn. The first baseman blasted a grand slam on his 33rd birthday, backing up rookie home runs from Esmerlyn Valdez and catcher Shawn Ross, making his first career start. Pittsburgh built a 7-to-1 lead before holding off a furious Cubs rally to win 8-to-7, with Braxton Ashcraft picking up the win and Mason Montgomery closing it out for his second save.
Chicago takes the series two games to one, but the Bucs will take the momentum — they’re right back home Monday night against the Diamondbacks, with Mitch Keller on the mound opposite Arizona’s Merrill Kelly.
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