Chicago Cubs drop a second-straight contest to Pittsburgh Pirates

An eighth inning wild pitch proved costly as the Chicago Cubs blew a lead late, falling to the Pittsburgh Pirates by a 4-3 final Tuesday night.

A stellar homestand had the Chicago Cubs flying high heading into this week’s series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. But after losing 12-0 in the opener and blowing a lead in the bottom of the eighth Tuesday, the club has to be ready to get back to Wrigley Field.

Carl Edwards Jr. continued his rough second-half, allowing both the tying and winning runs late. He walked John Jason to lead thins off. Starling Marte singled, advancing Jaso to third with nobody out. Max Moroff then came through, flaring a ball into left-center field to tie the game.

A throw to third cut down Marte at third for the first out of the inning. In an at-bat against Andrew McCutchen, Edwards encored a wild pitch, allowing the runner to advance to second. The right-hander struck out Cutch for the second out of the inning. The Cubs opted then to intentionally walk Josh Bell, bringing up David Freese, who delivered what proved to be the game-winner.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups

The performance by Edwards Jr. wasted another stellar start from Kyle Hendricks. The Chicago starter turned in 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball. He struck out only two, but did not walk a batter on the night.

Chicago (75-63) opened the scoring in the top of the first. Ben Zobrist scored John Jay on a sacrifice fly – but that lead was short-lived.

Pittsburgh outfielder Jordan Luplow smacked his second homer of the year in the bottom of the second, putting the Pirates ahead, 2-1.

But the back-and-forth continued in the top of the third when Ian Happ delivered a two-run, go-ahead single against Bucs’ starter Steven Brault. The right-hander scattered eight hitters in five innings of work, but did not factor into the decision.

Offensively, Albert Almora Jr. and Kris Bryant each added two hits. One of those hits for Bryant was his 32nd double of the campaign.

Next: Arrieta to miss minimal time with hamstring injury

What’s Next

Chicago and Pittsburgh continue their four-game set on Wednesday at PNC Park.

Jose Quintana (9-11, 4.49) takes on Pirates’ ace Gerrit Cole (11-9, 4.11). First pitch is at 6:05 p.m. CT.