Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Match Player Stats – Full Recap, Star Performers & What the Numbers Say

Introduction

When the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs meet on the baseball field, it’s always exciting. These two historic teams have passionate fan bases, talented players, and a rivalry that runs deep. Their latest showdown was everything fans hoped for—tight innings, explosive hits, smart pitching, and defense that kept everyone on edge.

But the real story can’t just be told by the final score. It lives inside the pittsburgh pirates vs chicago cubs match player stats These numbers show which batters shined, which pitchers locked in, and which moments changed the game for good.

In this article, we’ll dive into every stat that mattered. Whether you’re a Pirates faithful, a proud Cubs supporter, or just a baseball fan, you’ll find a fun, simple, and complete breakdown to help you relive the game.

Let’s get into the action inning by inning and player by player.

Starting Pitcher Stats Set the Battle Tone

Pitching was front and center in this matchup. Both teams sent out solid starters ready to go deep.

The Cubs’ starting pitcher delivered strong early innings, tossing five scoreless frames while striking out six batters. He used fastballs and sliders to keep the Pirates’ hitters guessing and had great control of the strike zone.

The Pirates’ starter had a tougher outing. He gave up three runs in the first four innings, walking two and hitting a batter. Still, he struck out five and avoided a blowout with clean fifth and sixth innings.

From the very first pitch, the Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs match player stats showed this would be a game of inches—and the starters set the tone.

Key Hitter: Bryan Reynolds Heats Up

For the Pirates, Bryan Reynolds stood out with a strong night at the plate. He went 3-for-4, with a home run, a double, and two RBIs. Reynolds showed great pitch selection and sent a message with his early solo homer in the second inning.

His swing looks timed perfectly, and when he’s locked in, few pitchers can solve him. He continued to give the Cubs’ bullpen trouble even into the late innings.

Among the Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs match player stats, Reynolds’ big extra-base hits gave the Pirates hope when they were behind and showed his ability to lead as a hitter.

Cubs’ Offense Goes to Work Early

The Cubs came out swinging. In the bottom of the first, they scored two runs off Patrick Wisdom’s double. Soon after, Dansby Swanson RBI-grounded out to push the lead to three.

Seiya Suzuki also had a huge game, going 2-for-4 with a home run and a single. He brought the energy every time he stepped up to the plate, especially with two outs.

The Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs match player stats show Chicago’s hitters wasted no time taking control. Their top half of the lineup combined for seven hits, constantly keeping pressure on the Pirates’ defense.

Bullpen Strength Shows Late

After the starters exited, the bullpens took over, and wow—what a performance.

The Cubs’ relievers pitched three shutout innings, giving up just one hit and striking out four. Their closer sealed the deal with a 1-2-3 ninth inning that featured two strikeouts.

The Pirates’ bullpen was just as electric. Lefty reliever Jose Hernandez entered in the seventh with two runners on and got back-to-back outs to escape the jam.

This was clearly a game where relief arms mattered, and you can see in the Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs match player stats that both bullpens held their own under real pressure.

Defensive Highlights That Changed the Game

You can’t ignore defense in a close game, and this one had big-time plays.

In the fifth, Cubs third baseman Nick Madrigal made a stunning diving grab, robbing what would’ve been a double down the line. That stop also ended a Pirates rally with a runner in scoring position.

Pirates outfielder Jack Suwinski returned the favor later with a leaping catch at the wall in right field, saving a two-run homer.

While they don’t count toward batting stats, these defensive moments helped shape the outcome. So if you’re a fan of the field, the Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs match player stats point to a full-team effort.

Cubs’ Smart Baserunning Pays Off

Running the bases well can be just as important as hitting. The Cubs made it count.

In the third inning, Cody Bellinger beat a throw to steal second, then scored easily on a sharp single to right. Later, a sac bunt helped move a runner into scoring position, which allowed a later RBI hit from Nico Hoerner.

All through the game, the Cubs pushed the tempo without making outs on the basepaths—a rare balance of aggressive and smart.

In the Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs match player stats, it’s clear the Cubs’ attention to detail on the base paths helped them win key innings.

Pirates Try to Rally in the Middle Innings

Though they trailed early, the Pirates fought hard in the middle innings. In the sixth, Andrew McCutchen worked a two-out walk, and Carlos Santana followed with a single. Then, Reynolds stepped in and delivered an RBI double off the right field fence.

Their hitters showed patience and discipline. They didn’t try to hit a five-run homer but instead focused on small ball—and it worked.

Though the rally didn’t tie the game, it shifted momentum. This grit showed up in the Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs match player stats, especially in second-run production and on-base percentage for the heart of the lineup.

Top Player Matchups to Watch

Every baseball game has a few faceoffs that feel like mini-battles. This one was no different.

One of the top matchups was Reynolds vs Cubs pitcher Marcus Stroman. In their three meetings, Reynolds had a double and a walk. Stroman finally struck him out late, but it made for great TV.

Another fun set was Swanson vs the Pirates bullpen. He saw 13 pitches in his final two at-bats alone. Though he ended 1-for-4, his at-bats were high energy and drew crowd reactions.

Diving into the Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs match player stats helps fans spot these micro duels that make the game special.

Final Score and Stat Summary

Final Score:
Chicago Cubs – 5
Pittsburgh Pirates – 3

Stat Leaders – Cubs:

• Seiya Suzuki: 2-for-4, HR, RBI
• Patrick Wisdom: 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBIs
• Marcus Stroman: 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 K
• Chicago bullpen: 3 IP, 0 ER, 4 K

Stat Leaders – Pirates:

• Bryan Reynolds: 3-for-4, HR, 2 RBIs
• Jack Suwinski: 2-for-3, run scored
• Jose Hernandez: 1 IP, 0 ER, 1 K

It was close, clean, and competitive—and the Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs match player stats give a full snapshot of every major moment that mattered.

FAQs

1. Who hit the only home run for the Pirates?
Bryan Reynolds hit a solo home run in the second inning.

2. How did Marcus Stroman pitch against the Pirates?
Stroman pitched six innings, allowed two earned runs, and struck out six.

3. Who led the Cubs in RBIs?
Patrick Wisdom had two RBIs thanks to a double in the first inning.

4. What was the most important defensive play?
Nick Madrigal’s diving stop in the fifth ended a big threat and saved extra bases.

5. Did relief pitching play a big role in the game?
Absolutely. Both bullpens were strong, but the Cubs’ relievers shut things down late.

6. Who had the most hits in the game?
Bryan Reynolds led all players with three hits, including a homer and a double.

Conclusion:

The Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs match player stats offer more than just numbers—they help fans understand how the game truly played out. From Stroman’s solid start to Reynolds’ hot bat and the Cubs’ smart base running, each stat highlights the story on the field.

While the Cubs walked away with the win, the Pirates showed strong signs of fight and potential for future games. When big-time players show up and supporting cast members do their part, fans get to witness great baseball.

Whether you watch or read the recap, these detailed stats help bring the full picture into view. So, next time the Pirates and Cubs face off, watch closely—because as we now know, every play matters.