PITTSBURGH _ The tension between the Cubs and Pirates resurfaced Wednesday night in the third inning over a slide at second base.
Pirates pitcher Joe Musgrove slid into second base and bumped into Cubs second baseman Javier Baez, who had no intention of completing a throw to first base in an attempt to complete a double play.
A few seconds later, words were exchanged and the benches emptied, with Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks and Pirates third base coach Joey Cora serving as peacemakers.
That was one of the few sparks that occurred for the Cubs in a 2-1 loss that ended their three-game win streak.
The Cubs put runners at first and second with two out in the ninth, but Kris Bryant grounded to third.
No shoving or punches occurred during the Baez-Musgrove incident. Cubs manager Joe Maddon asked for a crew chief review, only for it to be announced at PNC Park the play wasn't reviewable.
This incident occurred two days after Anthony Rizzo clipped catcher Elias Diaz on a slide at home plate that led to two runs in a 7-0 win.
The Pirates found little consolation after learning Tuesday that an official review by Major League Baseball determined that Rizzo's slide was illegal, contrary to what the umpires and the replay committee determined.
Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks allowed a home run to Josh Harrison in the first. Cory Dickerson hit a drive into the left field corner that rolled past Kyle Schwarber for a triple to start the second, and Gregory Polanco followed with a sacrifice fly,
The Cubs took a 1-0 lead on a leadoff double by Albert Almora Jr. and a single by Baez. The Cubs loaded the bases with one out, but Musgrove struck out Schwarber and Addison Russell.
Pinch-hitter Tommy La Stella grounded to first with runners at first and third to end the sixth.
