Pirates Can’t Overcome 10th Inning Deficit, Fall 5-4 to Cubs

Connor Joe hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the 10th inning, but the Pittsburgh Pirates were unable to erased a three-run deficit and fell 5-4 to the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on Mother’s Day.

The Cubs (24-17) went ahead on a Cody Bellinger RBI-single against Aroldis Chapman with the automatic runner standing on second. The Pirates caught Bellinger in between first and second for the first out, but Seiya Suzuki advanced 180 feet after starting the inning on second base.

After Chapman (0-3) recorded the second out, Patrick Wisdom hit a solo home run to straightaway center field to give the Cubs an insurance run.

Chapman exited the game accompanied by the Pirates’ medical staff before Chicago scored their third run of the inning on a passed ball charged to Yasmani Grandal with Kyle Nicolas on the mound.

The Pirates (18-23) had the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, but Bryan Reynolds bounced into a fielder’s choice with the Cubs preventing the winning run from scoring. Oneil Cruz followed with a flyout to end the threat.

Hector Neris (2-1) was credited with the win after escaping the jam in the ninth. Adbert Alzolay was given his fourth save of the season.

Christopher Morel connected on a two-run home run off of Bailey Falter in the top of the first, but the Pirates’ left-hander settled in nicely after that.

Falter gave the Pirates six innings and allowed just the two runs on the homer. He allowed five hits, walked a pair and struck out a batter. After the first inning, Falter only allowed four baserunners. 

Cruz hit a towering solo home run to right field in the bottom of the fourth to cut the Cubs’ lead in half. The ball left Cruz’s bat at 112.7 mph and was hit 47 degrees in the air with just enough carry to clear the Clemente Wall in right.