The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Chicago Cubs 8-7 on Sunday at PNC Park to win the series finale and snap a three-game losing streak. Esmerlyn Valdez, Shawn Ross and Ryan O’Hearn homered in the victory. The win keeps Pittsburgh in the middle of the NL Wild Card race with the Aug. 3 trade deadline approaching.
Pittsburgh trailed early after Dansby Swanson drove in a run for the Cubs. Esmerlyn Valdez answered with a solo homer in the bottom of the first for his 14th home run in 37 games. Shawn Ross followed with a 438-foot blast for his first career homer.
Ryan O’Hearn delivered a grand slam on his 33rd birthday to build a six-run lead. Starter Braxton Ashcraft worked six innings and turned a four-run advantage over to the bullpen. Carmen Mlodzinski and Mason Montgomery closed out the game despite a late Cubs rally.
Pirates manager Don Kelly called it a big win that showed the team learning to handle pressure. General manager Ben Cherington said the club has resources to reach October and plans to address needs in the bullpen and against left-handed pitching before the deadline.
