Reynolds and McCutchen homer as the Pirates rally past the Cubs 5-3

Cam Smith talks being selected 14th overall by the Cubs

The Cubs selected Florida State infielder Cam Smith in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft. He spoke to the media Sunday evening.

CHICAGO - Bryan Reynolds and Andrew McCutchen homered during Pittsburgh's four-run eighth inning, and the Pirates cooled off the Chicago Cubs with a 5-3 victory on Monday night.

Chicago returned home after closing out an 8-1 trip with six consecutive victories. It was hoping to add to its push for the third NL wild card against Pittsburgh, but it blew a 3-0 lead in the opener of a three-game series.

The Pirates began the eighth with three straight hits against Jorge López (2-3). Pinch-hitter Isiah Kiner-Falefa reached on a bloop single and Nick Gonzales had an infield hit before Reynolds connected for his 22nd homer, tying it at 3 with a drive to the bleachers in left-center.

After Oneil Cruz struck out swinging, McCutchen launched his 18th homer to left-center. McCutchen also extended his hitting streak to 14 games.

Jalen Beeks (7-4) got two outs for Pittsburgh, and Dennis Santana pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his third save.

Gonzales singled in an insurance run in the ninth as the Pirates won for just the second time in seven games and avenged a three-game sweep by the Cubs in Pittsburgh last week.

Dansby Swanson homered for Chicago, and Ian Happ drove in two runs with a triple. But the Cubs fell 3 1/2 games behind idle Atlanta for the final NL wild card.

Chicago wasted a terrific start for Jameson Taillon, who pitched seven innings of three-hit ball.

Pirates rookie Jared Jones permitted three runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings in his second start after missing nearly two months with a right lat strain.

Swanson’s 13th homer, and third in seven games, followed the two-time Gold Glove shortstop’s four-hit game at Washington on Sunday.

With two runners aboard, Happ tripled down the right-field line with two outs in the fifth to make it 3-0.

The inning was prolonged by rookie Pete Crow-Armstrong’s speed on the bases.

He was on first and Swanson at second when Miguel Amaya hit a bouncer to shortstop. Swanson momentarily screened Pittsburgh’s Alika Williams on the play and Crow-Armstrong reached second just before Williams' toss to second baseman Gonzales, preventing an inning-ending double play.