Final Score: Pirates 8 Cubs 6
Why The Pirates Won: The Pirates were less inept than the Cubs. More on that at the key moment of the game. With the 14 runs last night the series totaled 49 runs for both teams. The first two games were the starter's failures, but last night it was the bullpens that got rocked around. In only 3 innings of work, the Cubs bullpen gave up 5 runs and the Pirates bullpen 6. Johan Oviedo was the better Oviedo last night not giving up a run in 6 innings despite walking 5 batters. On offense each team got 6 walks and the Pirates collected 11 hits and the Cubs 10. Miguel Andujar had a big game, knocking in 3 runs, while going 3 for 4. About 10 days ago it looked like the Central Division could possibly have 3 teams in the playoffs. Now it is looking more like the it could be just the division winning Brewers who will make it. The Cubs have now lost 7 out of 8 and the Reds have lost 3 of their last 4 games. Both teams finish up on the road with Cubs playing 6 and the Reds 5 road games. The Pirates start a 3 game series with the Reds tonight and can put a big dent in their playoff hopes. Both teams have lousy managers so my guess is they both will miss the playoffs.
Key Moment Of The Game: The Cubs scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th to pull within 1 run of the Pirates at 5-4. Bryan Reynolds led off the top of the 9th with a walk. Ke'Bryan Hayes scorched a ball off the left field wall for a double with Reynolds trying to score from 1st base. Reynolds was thrown out at the plate and Hayes was undecided on whether to go to third on the throw. He got caught up in a rundown between 2nd and 3rd, and it looked like the Pirates were going to run themselves into a double play on a double. However, the Cubs came to our rescue by throwing the ball into right field and Hayes made it to 3rd. Jack Suwinski walked after falling behind in the count 0 and 2. Then up stepped Josh (I Will Never Say Another Bad Thing About Him) Palacios. For whatever reason, David Ross did not elect to go to a left hander to face Palacios. Maybe there was not a lefty available. Palcios hit a 3-2 slider for a homer into right center field, that proved to be the difference in the ballgame. David Bednar gave up a 2 run homer to Dansby Swanson in the bottom of the 9th. Instead of it being a dramatic walk off win for the Cubs, it just got them 2 runs closer to lose the game 8-6.
Next Game: Tonight, the Reds in Cincinnati. Another team with playoff hopes, but they are in must win situations. Can the Pirates take advantage of another team that may be choking their guts out. Only the Shadow knows for sure. The Pirates need to go 3 and 6 to get to 75 wins.
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