The game was over in the first inning. Pittsburgh exploded for five runs in the opening frame and never looked back, routing Chicago 12-1 at PNC Park to extend their winning streak to two games.
Braxton Ashcraft controlled the Cubs lineup through 6.1 innings, allowing 7 hits and 1 run while striking out 5. The right-hander improved to 4-2 with his fourth win of the season, carrying a 2.75 ERA.
The Pirates offense erupted immediately against Jordan Wicks. Bryan Reynolds doubled to left, scoring Konnor Griffin and Brandon Lowe to open the scoring. Oneil Cruz followed with an RBI single, then Esmerlyn Valdez capped the rally with a two-run homer to center field that traveled 415 feet. Pittsburgh added three more runs in the fifth inning and continued to pour it on late, with Spencer Horwitz contributing a solo homer in the seventh.
Wicks absorbed his first loss of the season, lasting just 4.1 innings while surrendering 9 hits and 8 runs. The left-hander struck out 5 but could not contain Pittsburgh's balanced attack. His ERA ballooned to 16.62 after the rough outing.
Pittsburgh improved to 28-26 while Chicago fell to 29-25, extending their losing streak to nine games. Alex Bregman reached 300 career doubles in this game, though it provided little consolation for the Cubs. Ian Happ remains 10 hits away from 1,000 career hits.