Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Box Score on Sep 05, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Sep 5, 2017

PITTSBURGH -- David Freese singled in the eighth inning to cap the Pittsburgh Pirates' 4-3 comeback victory over the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on Tuesday.

With the Cubs leading 3-2 in the eighth inning, the Pirates tied it 3-3 when Max Moroff lifted a single into left field to score John Jaso from third. Moroff spoiled a strong effort from Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks, who allowed two runs on five hits with two strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.

Freese singled to center to drive in Moroff from second, handing right-handed reliever Carl Edwards, Jr. (3-4), the loss.

Left-handed reliever Wade LeBlanc (5-2) pitched three perfect innings for the win and closer Felipe Rivero pitched a perfect ninth for his 18th save.

Pittsburgh (67-72) extended its winning streak to four games.

The Cubs (75-63), who scored one run in the first inning and another two in the third, have lost their past three games. After winning six straight from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2, they lost 12-0 to the Pirates on Monday, one day after losing 5-1 to the Atlanta Braves.

Before it seemed like it would come to an end, the Pirates' attempt at extending their winning streak started well.

Rookie right fielder Jordan Luplow gave Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead in the second inning with a two-run homer, the second home run of his career. Luplow previously homered against the Cincinnati Reds on Sept. 2, when he had three RBIs.

That lead didn't last, though. Ian Happ drove in two runs with a single to center in the third to put the Cubs ahead 3-2.

Chicago had a chance to break the game open later in the inning when Pirates starter Steven Brault (0-1) hit Victor Caratini to load the bases with one out. Rene Rivera flied out to right and Hendricks grounded out to leave the runners stranded.

The Cubs took a 1-0 lead when Ben Zobrist scored Jon Jay on a sacrifice fly in the first inning.

Brault made his first major league start after 14 relief appearances for the Pirates during the past two seasons. He allowed three runs and eight hits in five innings.

NOTES: Cubs C Taylor Davis was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday. The 27-year-old hit .297 with six home runs and 62 RBIs in 102 games with Iowa this season. ... Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo and RF Jason Heyward each didn't start after going 0-for-4 in Chicago's 12-0 loss Monday. ... The Pirates skipped RHP Ivan Nova's scheduled start and instead decided to go with LHP Steven Brault, who made his first MLB start. Nova has lost six of his past seven decisions dating back to July 23. ... The Pirates announced Tuesday they signed general manager Neil Huntington and manager Clint Hurdle to four-year contract extensions. Hurdle is 575-535 in seven seasons as Pirates manager.