Cubs Secure Narrow Victory Over Pirates with Key Home Runs

Pete Crow-Armstrong launched a two-run homer in the fourth inning, while Seiya Suzuki followed suit with a solo shot in the sixth, propelling the Chicago Cubs to a 3-2 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.

Jameson Taillon, pitching against his former team that selected him second overall in 2010, delivered a solid performance. The Cubs' right-hander went 6 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits, with three of those hits coming in a challenging seventh inning. He struck out seven batters, showcasing his ability to navigate pressure.

In the ninth inning, Ryan Pressly secured his fifth save of the season, closing out the game for the Cubs.

On the other side, Andrew Heaney struggled slightly, surrendering three earned runs over six innings while also recording seven strikeouts.

Crow-Armstrong's 18th home run of the season and Suzuki's 17th not only contributed to the win but also positioned them fifth and tied for sixth in the National League home run rankings, respectively.

The Pirates made a late push in the seventh inning, scoring two runs with an RBI single from Adam Frazier and a bases-loaded walk issued to Jared Triolo.

After Taillon allowed three consecutive hits, reliever Brad Keller faced a tough situation. He hit one batter and walked another, loading the bases. Oneil Cruz battled through a full count but ultimately struck out swinging, preserving the Cubs' slim lead.

Throughout the game, the Pirates left five runners stranded on base, while the Cubs managed to leave just two on base, highlighting a key difference in their offensive efficiency.

Looking ahead, RHP Paul Skenes (4-6, 1.88 ERA) is set to take the mound for the Pirates in the second game of the series on Friday night, facing off against Cubs' RHP Cade Horton (3-1, 4.11).