Pirates Open Weekend Series Against The Cubs In Chicago With A Win

CHICAGO (AP) — Jack Suwinski hit a tie-breaking solo homer in the ninth inning to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 3-2 win over the struggling Chicago Cubs on Friday.  Suwinski, a Chicago native, hit Daniel Palencia’s (1-3) 1-1 fastball the opposite way, into the left-field bleachers for his third homer. The Pirates ended a five-game losing steak and sent the Cubs to their fourth loss in five games. Pete Crow-Armstrong broke out of a 3-for-41 slump by going 3 for 3 with his first RBI since July 30. Crow-Armstrong also was hit by a pitch and scored a run. The Cubs All-Star was thrown out twice on the bases; trying to stretch a single to double in the fourth and was caught stealing in the ninth after leading off with a single.  Andrew McCutchen and Isaiah Kiner-Falefa each had an RBI double.  The Cubs entered eight games behind surging NL Central-leading Milwaukee. Matt Shaw added a sac fly.  Dennis Santana (4-4) got the final four outs for the win.  Pirates rookie Braxton Ashcraft allowed one run on three hits in five innings, striking our four and walking none in his third and longest start.  Cubs starter Colin Rea allowed one run on three hits in five innings.