They had their chances in Thursday’s 6-2 loss to the Pirates, but after two big offensive performances, the Cubs’ lineup wasn’t able to keep the success going for a third straight day.
The Cubs created a lot of traffic and put the lead-off man on base in the third, fourth, sixth and the eight innings. They even had an opportunity with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth inning, but a Jason Kipnis strikeout and Cameron Maybin flyout ended the threat.
One pitch cost right-hander Alec Mills as Bryan Reynolds reached to the bottom of the zone and golfed a three-run homer to right that would prove to be all Pittsburgh would need.