It wasn't the prettiest game for the Cubs offense, but Jon Lester shut down the Pirates after a first-inning home run and the bullpen pitched five scoreless innings!
Tied 1-1 after nine, the Pirates immediately had a chance to take the lead in extras, as Josh Bell singled to left which prompted Pittsburgh's third base coach to send Jacob Stallings home. In case you forgot, teams now begin extra innings with a runner at second base.
Well, it was a big blunder by Joey Cora, as Kyle Schwarber nailed Stallings at home.
Ryan Tepera worked out the inning, but things got more frustrating in the bottom half. After Ian Happ walked to get two runners on for the Cubs, Nico Hoerner showed bunt, but it appeared as though he didn't actually attempt one. However, the 1-1 delivery was ruled a strike. Yet, on the play Steven Souza Jr. raced to third base with nobody out.
Unfortunately, Hoerner struck out swinging on the next pitch and then Albert Almora Jr. struck out as well. David Bote then popped out to end the threat.
Jeremy Jeffress pitched a scoreless 11th inning and then after an Anthony Rizzo sac-fly to right field, Javier Báez singled to center, driving in Bote for the game-winner.
The Cubs are now 7-2, winning their first three series of the shortened 2020 season.
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