Bryan Reynolds' homer the difference as Pirates blank Cubs

Bryan Reynolds hit a two-run home run, Carmen Mlodzinski threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings and the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0 on Friday afternoon.

Chicago starter Shota Imanaga held Pittsburgh hitless in his six-inning stint.

The third pitch from Cubs reliever Caleb Thielbar (1-1) in the seventh was singled to right by Ryan O'Hearn. His next pitch left the yard off the bat of Reynolds to left field, bringing home what became the only runs of the game on his third homer of the season.

Mlodzinski allowed six hits while walking three and striking out two for Pittsburgh, which has won seven of its past nine games. Mason Montgomery (1-0) earned the win, striking out two batters in relief of Mlodzinski. The Pirates will search for their first series win over Chicago since September 2024 on Saturday.

Imanaga finished with a no-decision despite striking out nine batters and walking just one.

Ian Happ had two hits and Carson Kelly had a single and three walks for Chicago. The Cubs had six hits and worked seven walks, but were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners.

Chicago threatened in the fourth, as Happ and Seiya Suzuki laced a pair of singles and Kelly's two-out walk loaded the bases. Mlodzinski escaped the jam, getting Moises Ballesteros to line out to left field.

Alex Bregman and Happ each singled to begin the bottom of the sixth, before Mlodzinski struck out Suzuki. Montgomery then replaced Mlodzinski after 81 pitches.

Montgomery struck out Pete Crow-Armstrong and walked Kelly to load the bases. The Pittsburgh reliever preserved the scoreless tie with an inning-ending strikeout of pinch hitter Matt Shaw.

Dennis Santana earned his first save of the season, striking out Dansby Swanson and Michael Busch as part of a perfect ninth.

--Field Level Media