Sept. 16--The Cubs rallied for three runs in the seventh inning, but reliever Justin Grimm walked Pedro Alvarez to start the eighth and pinch-runner Pedro Florimon scored the winning run on Starling Castro's sacrifice fly in the Pirates 5-4 victory in the first game of Tuesday doubleheader at PNC Park.
At the plate
Gerrit Cole retired 11 consecutive batters with five strikeouts before Miguel Montero singled to start the three-run rally with one out in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Tommy La Stella hit an RBI double to knock out Cole. Kris Bryant struck out three times against Cole.
On the mound
Jason Hammel issued two walks and hit a batter during a three-run first that led to his departure in the fourth. Trevor Cahill took over and pitched two innings of one-hit ball.
In the field
Shortstop Addison Russell leaped to rob Jung Ho Kang of a hit to end the seventh. Kyle Schwarber made his first appearance in right field in the eighth.
Key at-bat
Grimm's walk to Alvarez was costly, as he fell behind 3-0 before working the count full but still walked him.
Key number
2 -- Career pinch hits for La Stella.
The quote
"It was a really hard-fought game. But when you get to that latter part of the game, you have to force the other team to beat us, as opposed to self-inflicted wounds." -- Cubs manager Joe Maddon
