League date: April 12, 2026

CHICAGO, IL — The Cubs used a late surge to defeat the Pirates 8-5 at Wrigley Field, snapping Pittsburgh’s four-game winning streak while ending their own five-game slide.

Chicago struck early behind Seiya Suzuki, who launched a three-run homer in the first inning to give the Cubs a quick 4-0 lead. The Pirates answered in the third, with Marcell Ozuna driving in a run with a double before later scoring as Pittsburgh trimmed the deficit to 4-3.

The momentum swung in Pittsburgh’s favor in the sixth when Rafael Flores delivered a two-run homer to put the Pirates ahead 5-4. But the lead didn’t last. In the seventh, Ian Happ led off with a towering homer to tie the game, and two batters later Alex Bregman followed with a go-ahead blast to center. Chicago added two more runs in the eighth to create separation.

Pirates starter José Urquidy was chased after three innings, allowing four runs, and the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead late. Jameson Taillon gave up five runs over 5.2 innings but avoided the loss, while Phil Maton closed it out to earn his third save.