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Seiya Suzuki delivered a pivotal tiebreaking single in the eighth inning, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. This win was essential for the Cubs, who had struggled recently, dropping four of their last five games.
Cubs Rally Late
The decisive moment came when Kyle Tucker opened the eighth with a single off Evan Sisk, who suffered the loss. Tucker quickly stole second base and scored on Suzuki’s grounder to center field. Nico Hoerner added an insurance run with a two-out RBI double after Ian Happ received an intentional walk.
Impressive Pitching Performance
Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga showcased his skills, pitching seven strong innings while allowing just three hits. He struck out six batters and walked two, demonstrating control throughout the game. Imanaga’s only blip came in the fourth inning when Tommy Pham launched a 428-foot homer to left field, marking his sixth of the season.
Defensive Stand in the Ninth
In the ninth inning, the Pirates made a push with a leadoff single from Nick Gonzales. However, Cubs reliever Brad Keller responded with three consecutive strikeouts against Andrew McCutchen, Joey Bart, and pinch-hitter Spencer Horwitz to secure the victory.
Looking Ahead
The Cubs have faced challenges at the plate, scoring three runs or fewer in 10 of their 14 games this month. As they prepare for the series finale, right-hander Javier Assad (0-1, 9.00 ERA) is set to make his second start of the season. The Pirates will counter with right-handed reliever Carmen Mlodzinski (2-7, 4.20 ERA) as an opener.
Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.
