Nico Hoerner was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the eighth inning to force in the go-ahead run as the Chicago Cubs pulled out a 4-3 victory over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday.
Pedro Ramirez had a double and a home run, and Michael Busch hit a solo shot for the Cubs (83-66).
Ryan Rolison (9-1) allowed one hit in 1 2/3 scoreless innings to earn the win. Ryan Zeferjahn struck out Bryan Reynolds looking for the final out and his sixth save.
Ryan O’Hearn hit a three-run home run, and Paul Skenes allowed two runs on four hits, walking one and fanning four over seven innings for the Pirates (74-75).
The Cubs rallied from a 3-2 deficit in the eighth against Pirates reliever Gregory Soto (6-5), who allowed a leadoff double to Ramirez. Tyrone Taylor flied out, and Pete Crow-Armstrong struck out looking before Alex Bregman was hit by a pitch and pinch hitter Seiya Suzuki walked to load the bases.
Pinch hitter Matt Shaw drew an RBI walk to tie the game at 3-all. Hoerner was then hit by a pitch, forcing home Bregman.
Chicago got on the scoreboard in the first when Busch cranked an opposite-field solo homer 415 feet over the wall in left field.
In the third, Ramirez gave the Cubs a 2-0 lead when he launched a home run to right.
The Pirates took a 3-2 lead in the sixth when Brandon Lowe opened the frame with a single and Reynolds followed with a slow roller that Hoerner misplayed for an error, putting runners on first and second.
Konnor Griffin flied out to right, advancing both runners, before O’Hearn’s three-run homer gave Pittsburgh the lead. Spencer Horwitz followed with a walk and Jake Mangum popped out to right, but Jacob Gonzalez singled and Henry Davis walked to load the bases. Cubs starter Clay Holmes was relieved by Jacob Webb. Oneil Cruz grounded out to second as Webb escaped the inherited jam.
Holmes allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits with four walks and six strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings.
