PITTSBURGH — Bryan Reynolds and Jack Suwinski supplied the homers. Ji Hwan Bae picked up his first MLB hit and stole two bases, and the Pirates showed plenty of fight during Friday's game against the Cubs. Shoot, Oneil Cruz even drove one to the warning track in the ninth, giving the hearty souls still watching some happy thoughts of a potential walk-off win.
But a wobbly bullpen and far too many walks — nine total — ultimately cost the Pirates during a 6-5 loss to Chicago, which stretched Pittsburgh's losing streak to eight. The Pirates actually loaded the bases in the final inning before Cal Mitchell struck out swinging to end it.
The Pirates wasted five innings of two-run ball from Bryse Wilson, as they could not protect a 4-2 lead. After Reynolds tied it with a homer in the seventh, more inefficient work from the bullpen — this time, Yohan Ramirez — cost the Pirates, who fell to 55-96.
