Cubs hold on for series win over slumping Pirates

Field Level Media|published: Mon 13th May, 08:32 2024

May 12, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Nick Madrigal (1) tags Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Connor Joe (2) out on a caught stealing run down between first and second bases during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Patrick Wisdom hit a solo homer during a three-run 10th inning as the visiting Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4 in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday.

Adbert Alzolay allowed Connor Joe's two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th before securing his fourth save. Hector Neris (3-0) earned the win after escaping a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the ninth inning.

Wisdom had three hits and Christopher Morel had two hits, including a two-run homer.

Oneil Cruz had a solo homer for Pittsburgh, which went 3-for-10 with runners in scoring position and fell to 9-21 in its last 30 games.

In the top of the 10th inning, the Cubs moved ahead when Cody Bellinger singled home automatic runner Seiya Suzuki. Wisdom then homered with one out against Aroldis Chapman (0-3), who was relieved by Kyle Nicolas. With the bases loaded, Mike Tauchman scored on a passed ball.

Chicago jumped on Pirates starter Bailey Falter for two runs in the first inning. Nico Hoerner hit a leadoff single and scored on Morel's homer to left field.

The 397-foot homer was Morel's ninth this season and fifth in his last 10 games.

Falter settled in after the opening frame and threw 81 pitches over six innings. He allowed two runs on five hits with two walks and one strikeout.

Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks retired nine of his first 11 batters faced before giving up a leadoff homer to Cruz in the fourth inning. The home run was Cruz's seventh this season and second in as many games.

Hendricks made his first start since April 21 after landing on the injured list with a lower back injury. He yielded one run on two hits over five innings with four walks and five strikeouts.

Pittsburgh tied the game in the sixth inning. Joe doubled with one out and moved to third on Jack Suwinski's single. After Colten Brewer relieved Richard Lovelady, Joe scored on Jared Triolo's sacrifice fly.

Pittsburgh loaded the bases with one out in the ninth inning, but Neris escaped the jam when Bryan Reynolds grounded into a fielder's choice and Cruz flied out.

--Field Level Media

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