PITTSBURGH _ At least the Cubs are creating history as they sink to lower depths.
They committed two errors during two rallies that helped the Pirates roll to a 9-5 victory Thursday night that extended the Cubs' season-high losing streak to nine games.
The errors increased their season total to 116 _ one fewer than the Pirates' National League-high total.
Jose Quintana was tagged for 12 hits in five innings to cap a miserable September in which he had an 11.09 ERA and allowed 37 hits in 18? innings. That followed a 4-1 record and 2.02 ERA in six August starts.
This marks the Cubs' longest losing streak since they dropped 12 straight on May 15-27 during their 101-loss season in 2012.
The Cubs (82-77) have lost 25 of 45 games since Aug. 9, when they led the NL Central by 3{ games. Thursday's loss dropped their road record to 31-47.
At least the Cubs didn't have anyone thrown out on the basepaths. They have a league-high 63 outs on the bases, according to baseball-reference.com.
With the injury-plagued Cubs officially eliminated from postseason contention Wednesday, manager Joe Maddon rested his regulars.
But Maddon submitted a lineup of players with experience or who played during important junctures of the 2019 season.
"It's like going to spring training games," Maddon said before the game of playing without any playoff ramifications. "It's awful."
Maddon said he remained upset after Wednesday's 4-2 loss, which occurred one inning after the Cubs were mathematically eliminated.
He still went through his morning routine of looking at his best options against the opposing starting pitcher, which happened to be Joe Musgrove.
"You just don't mail it in, ever," Maddon said.
Nevertheless, the Cubs trailed 5-0 after three innings. Quintana retired the first two batters before allowing three consecutive hits, capped by Pablo Reyes' two-run double.
Quintana allowed five hits in the third, and second baseman Robel Garcia dropped a relay throw that allowed the second of three runs to score.
A throwing error by Addison Russell, making his first start at shortstop since getting beaned by the Brewers' Adrian Houser on Sept. 8, occurred during a two-run fifth.
Musgrove limited the Cubs to three hits in six innings.
