Too Little, Too Late - Pirates Drop Opener To Cubs 3-2

Today's Game: Chicago's Zach Davies spun a quick and quiet first frame. Trevor Cahill gave up a leadoff knock; it cost a run when Phil Evans dropped a two-out catch in right. That was followed by a walk, and the pitch count was up to 29 before the third out. The Bucs went 1-2-3 in the second, with the last two outs both barreled but lined to straight center and Kris Bryant's mitt. A one-out single was bunted up and plated on a two-out single (a .176 hitter, David Bote, scoring on a hit by Joc Pederson at .156) to make it 2-0. Ka'ai Tom was bopped in the side with a pitch with one away in the third and Cahill, with two strikes, bunted for an infield rap. They never moved up. The Cubs led off with consecutive knocks, followed by a wild pitch, and a sac fly made it 3-0. Pittsburgh made no noise in the fourth, and a leadoff hit for Chicago was followed by a force and DP for a calm frame. The Pirates repaid when Jake Stallings opened the fifth with a single and Todd Frazier rolled into a DP, followed by another bouncer. The first two Cubbies singled, but the beat continued as they bounced into another DP and a grounder ended it.

Luis Oviedo looks like he used his time off well - photo Pgh Pirates

Fraze singled in the sixth for all the Bucco action. Michael Feliz took the bump as Trevor was at 92 pitches and spun a clean inning. Colin Moran led off the seventh, with all things, an infield rap followed by an Evans single and Jake walk. The Toddfather tapped a soft comebacker, leading to a force at home. Ka'ai Tom then hit a the ball a bit more firmly to Davies and the resulting 1-2-3 DP put up another zero. Feliz threw a second three up, three down frame, thanks to a caught stealing after a single. Andrew Chafin toed the slab in the eighth and gave up a harmless walk to Fraze. Luis Oviedo climbed the bump and flipped a spotless frame. Ryan Tepera came on in the ninth after a deflected single by Redbeard, and Jake ground-rule doubled him to third with one away. A bouncer made it 3-1 and Ka'ai's rap cut the lead to one. Rex Brothers came on to face Wilmer Difo, who dropped a single into center to put Bucs on the corners. Fraze was bopped to load the sacks, a B-Rey milked the drama, running the count full before flying out to medium right, getting under a fastball down the middle.

Trevor pitched creditably but without much help behind him - photo MLB.com

Trevor Cahill pitched better than his line, but the Pirates defense hurt him, not just with the error but a couple of plays they left on the field because they're just not a very rangy group of glove men. And to lose by a run after you've blown a bases-loaded, no out situation...oh well, get after 'em again tomorrow; this version of the Cubs isn't exactly the '27 Yankees.

Notes:

• Redbeard and Jake each had a pair of hits. B-Rey had a tough day; he went 0-for-5 and left seven runners on the bases.
• The Pirates have scored six runs in their last five games.
• Ke'Bryan Hayes took ground balls today, so he's coming along although his timeline to return is still TBD.

Tomorrow's Game: The game starts at 2:20 and will be aired by AT&T SportsNet PITT2, MLB Network (out of market) & 93.7 The Fan. Wil Crowe takes on Trevor Williams.