Cubs dismantle Pirates in dominant 11-0 victory
Chicago’s offense exploded for 11 runs while Shota Imanaga limited Pittsburgh to four hits, handing rookie Paul Skenes his first loss of the season despite 11 strikeouts.
The Chicago Cubs delivered a comprehensive 11-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night, capitalising on a standout offensive display from Pete Crow-Armstrong and disciplined pitching from Shota Imanaga. The win solidifies Chicago’s control of the series, with the finale scheduled for Sunday.
Crow-Armstrong was the driving force behind the Cubs’ offensive surge, recording four hits in five at-bats. His performance included a two-run home run in the seventh inning off reliever Ron Marinaccio, which extended the lead to 10-0, and an RBI double in the fifth inning against starter Paul Skenes. The home run marked Crow-Armstrong’s 23rd of the season, and his extra-base hits in three consecutive innings left him just a triple short of the cycle.
For the Pirates, Paul Skenes (9-9) entered the game with momentum, having won his previous three starts while allowing only five runs over 18 and one-third innings. Although he struck out 11 batters over 5 1/3 innings, he struggled to contain Chicago’s lineup, surrendering five earned runs on six hits and two walks. The Cubs broke through in the fifth inning, scoring three runs after striking out nine times in the first four innings.
Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (7-8) provided a stable foundation for the victory, pitching six innings and allowing just four hits. He struck out four batters and issued one walk, effectively neutralising the Pirates’ attack. Jake Mangum recorded the only hit for Pittsburgh against Imanaga, a single in the third inning that was aided by a throwing error from Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson.
The series concludes on Sunday with Pirates right-hander Braxton Ashcraft (9-4, 3.95 ERA) facing Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon (2-5, 5.38 ERA). Chicago’s dominant performance on Saturday sets a high bar for the final matchup.
