This article was originally published on www.si.com/mlb/cubs as Cubs Take Series Victory Over Pirates Even Though Their Offense Continues To Struggle. The Chicago Cubs were in desperate need of a series victory after losing three straight and watching the Milwaukee Brewers pull further and further ahead in the NL Central.

Dansby Swanson hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 on Sunday in the rubber game of the weekend series. Pete Crow-Armstrong and Ian Happ each had two hits for Chicago,

The Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 at Wrigley Field on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. Chicago Cubs pitcher Andrew Kittredge (59) takes a breath before throwing a pitch during the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Jack Suwinski hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the ninth inning to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 3-2 win over the struggling Chicago Cubs.

But Kyle Tucker started a rally in the eighth with a leadoff single and the Cubs defeated the Pirates 3-1. Let’s begin at the beginning. Good starting pitching? Check. Shōta Imanaga was magnificent for seven innings,