The Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8–4 at PNC Park. The game took place on September 17, 2025. Aaron Civale earned the win, improving his record to 3-9.

Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ stood out for the Cubs. Hoerner scored three runs, while Happ drove in three runs. The Cubs now have a record of 87-64, sitting second in the NL Central. The Pirates, with a record of 65-87, remain fifth in the division.

The Cubs took an early lead in the first inning, scoring four runs. The Pirates responded with three runs in the bottom of the same inning. In the second inning, the Pirates tied the game with one more run, making it 4-4. The Cubs broke the tie in the sixth inning with three runs, moving ahead 7-4. They added one more run in the eighth inning to secure the win. The final score was Cubs 8, Pirates 4.

In the Cubs’ lineup, Ian Happ made a big impact. He went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs. Happ also hit a home run, adding to the Cubs’ lead. Matt Ballesteros also contributed with a home run and an RBI.

Aaron Civale played a key role on the mound for the Cubs. He pitched three innings, giving up only one hit and no runs. Civale struck out three batters, earning the win with a solid performance.

For the Pirates, Joey Bart stood out despite the loss. Bart hit a home run and collected three RBIs. However, Yohan Ramírez struggled in his short outing, giving up three runs, which led to him taking the loss.

What’s Next

The Cubs’ win over the Pirates moves them to a record of 87-64. This keeps them in second place in the Central division. They are striving to catch up to the division leader as the season nears its end. On the other hand, the Pirates’ loss drops them to a record of 65-87. They remain in fifth place in the Central division. The Cubs and Pirates have faced each other multiple times this season, with the Cubs having the upper hand in their head-to-head games.

The Chicago Cubs are set to begin a new series against the Cincinnati Reds. This series will start on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Great American Ball Park. The Cubs will be playing away for this series.

The Pittsburgh Pirates will have a break before starting a new series at home against the Athletics. The series begins on Friday, September 19, 2025, at PNC Park. After the series with the Athletics, the Pirates will then travel to face the Cincinnati Reds.

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