CHICAGO — In a thrilling extra-inning showdown, Ian Happ delivered a walk-off single in the 10th inning, propelling the Chicago Cubs to a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.
The Cubs executed a smart double steal, placing runners on second and third base against Pittsburgh’s David Bednar (1-5). Despite Jon Berti’s strikeout for the first out, Happ stepped up with a decisive line drive to right, igniting cheers from the 40,162 fans gathered at Wrigley Field.
With this victory, the Cubs, leading the NL Central, wrapped up their series against the Pirates, who sit at the bottom of the division, by winning three out of the four matchups. Notably, each game in this series was intensely competitive, ending with a one-run margin.
Key contributors for Chicago included Dansby Swanson and Michael Busch, who each recorded two hits. In addition, Swanson and Seiya Suzuki added to the team’s tally by driving in a run apiece.
Chris Flexen (4-0) secured the win with a flawless 10th inning, maintaining a shutout and completing a four-hitter performance. On the Pirates’ side, Spencer Horwitz made an impact with two hits and an RBI, while Alexander Canario contributed with a run-scoring groundout.
The game began with both teams scoring two runs in the first inning. Horwitz brought in Oneil Cruz with a single to give the Pirates the initial lead, but the Cubs quickly responded with Swanson’s RBI single, leveling the score at 2.
On the mound for Chicago, Colin Rea delivered a strong performance, pitching six innings and allowing just four hits. He also recorded four strikeouts while conceding one walk. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller gave up three hits over six innings, reducing his ERA to 4.08, yet remains without a win in his last 14 starts.
Highlight moment came when Chicago’s second baseman Nico Hoerner made a remarkable diving catch of Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s low liner, concluding the top of the 10th inning and preventing an automatic run by Adam Frazier from potentially scoring.
Significantly, the Cubs improved their record in tightly contested games, boasting a 12-6 outcome in one-run games this season.
Looking ahead, the Pirates are set to travel to Detroit, where LHP Bailey Falter (5-3, 3.36 ERA) will take on Tigers RHP Casey Mize (6-2, 2.95 ERA) on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Cubs enjoy a brief respite before RHP Ben Brown (3-5, 5.71 ERA) starts against Brewers RHP Chad Patrick (3-6, 3.25 ERA) in their next game at Wrigley on Tuesday.