CHICAGO (Interstat) — Bryan Reynolds hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates used a combined five-hitter to edge the Chicago Cubs 2-0 on Friday at Wrigley Field. The Pirates managed only three hits but broke a scoreless tie when Reynolds connected against reliever Caleb Thielbar after a leadoff single by Ryan O’Hearn. Pittsburgh starter Carmen Mlodzinski allowed six hits over 5 1/3 innings before Mason Montgomery earned the win in relief. Dennis Santana got the save. Cubs starter Shota Imanaga struck out nine over six hitless innings but did not factor in the decision. The Cubs left eight runners on base. Attendance was 28,811. The game took 2 hours, 41 minutes.

CHICAGO (Interstat) — In a tense, briskly played pitchers’ duel that defied pregame projections, Bryan Reynolds’ two-run homer in the seventh inning was the only offense as the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Chicago Cubs 2-0 on a chilly Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field. The game, witnessed by 28,811 fans and completed in a crisp 2 hours and 41 minutes, was dominated by starting pitching until Reynolds connected. The Cubs’ Shota Imanaga was brilliant, striking out nine over six perfect innings, retiring all 18 batters he faced. The Pirates, however, broke through immediately after his departure. Facing reliever Caleb Thielbar to start the seventh, Ryan O’Hearn laced a sharp line-drive single to right for Pittsburgh’s first hit. Reynolds then drove Thielbar’s next pitch deep to left field for his third home run of the season, providing all the necessary runs. The Pirates managed only three hits total but made them count. The Cubs out-hit Pittsburgh 6-3 but went 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 baserunners, repeatedly failing to capitalize on opportunities against a parade of Pittsburgh pitchers. Pittsburgh starter Carmen Mlodzinski set the tone, navigating 5 1/3 scoreless innings despite allowing six hits and two walks. He worked out of jams in the third and fourth innings, with the Cubs leaving two men on in each frame. His most critical escape came in the sixth. After singles by Alex Bregman and Ian Happ put runners on first and second with one out, Mlodzinski struck out Seiya Suzuki. Reliever Mason Montgomery then entered and struck out Pete Crow-Armstrong to end the threat, stranding three Cubs after a walk loaded the bases. Montgomery earned the win, his first of the season. The Pirates’ bullpen combination of Isaac Mattson, Gregory Soto and Dennis Santana was flawless over the final three innings. Santana struck out two in a perfect ninth to record his first save. The Cubs’ best chance to answer came in the eighth against Soto. After a one-out walk to Suzuki and a force out, another walk put the potential tying run on base, but Matt Shaw flew out to right to end the inning. Imanaga’s dominant performance was wasted, as Thielbar took the loss, falling to 1-1. Cubs left fielder Ian Happ had two of Chicago’s six hits. The victory improved Pittsburgh’s record to 8-5, marking its seventh win in nine games following a 1-3 start to the season. The Cubs fell to 6-7. The result was an upset according to pregame metrics; statistical projections gave Chicago a 61.7% probability to win, with a simulated score of 6-4 in favor of Pittsburgh. The actual combined total of two runs went well under the over/under line of 6.5. The most important sequence of the game was undoubtedly the top of the seventh inning. After being completely stifled by Imanaga for six innings, the Pirates’ offense ignited the moment he exited. O’Hearn’s immediate single off Thielbar broke the no-hit bid and the tension, setting the stage for Reynolds, who promptly changed the game with one swing. This two-pitch, two-run outburst against the new pitcher proved decisive in a contest where scoring chances were exceedingly rare. The two teams continue their series at Wrigley Field on Saturday.

Pirates, Cubs Set for Afternoon Clash at Wrigley Field CHICAGO (Interstat) — The Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs, both hovering around .500 in the early season, open a three-game series at Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. CDT under cloudy skies with a temperature near 70 degrees. The Pirates (7-5) arrive after a 8-2 loss to San Diego on Wednesday, despite a strong six-inning, no-run start from right-hander Mitch Keller. Keller, a key player to watch for Pittsburgh, has been sharp, allowing just two earned runs over his last 18 innings pitched. Pittsburgh will turn to right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski (0-0) as its probable starter. The Cubs (6-6) counter with left-hander Shota Imanaga (0-1). Imanaga will look to rebound after taking a loss in his first outing. Chicago is coming off a 6-2 road win in Tampa Bay on Wednesday, powered by a three-hit, two-RBI day from second baseman Nico Hoerner. Cubs pitcher Colin Rea earned the win with five solid innings and is another player to monitor after posting a 1.93 ERA over his last three appearances. The series features two teams trending in opposite directions recently. The Pirates have dropped three of their last four, while the Cubs have won four of their last five after a slow start. Despite the Cubs’ recent surge, statistical projections are mixed. National Statistical’s game simulator predicts a 6-4 Pirates victory, while its ELO rating system gives the Cubs a 61.7% probability to win. Chicago has been installed as a -1.5 run favorite, with an over/under of 6.5 runs. Following Friday’s contest, the series continues Saturday and Sunday before both clubs embark on new homestands. Pittsburgh will host Washington and Tampa Bay, while the Cubs hit the road for Philadelphia before returning to face the New York Mets.