Pirates beat Cubs on HBP in 9th inning

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Matt Hague was hit by a pitch from Rafael Dolis with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates sent the Chicago Cubs to their 11th straight loss with a 3-2 victory Saturday night.

Hague took a 96 mph fastball from Dolis (2-4) in the back near the shoulder blade, scoring Jose Tabata and eliciting an incredulous look to the sky by the Cubs reliever.

Dolis had hit Josh Harrison earlier in the inning after Tabata had singled to lead off the ninth. Dolis also walked Neil Walker with two outs.

The punchless Cubs offense continued to struggle, managing six hits against Kevin Correia and three relievers. Closer Joel Hanrahan (2-0) had two strikeouts in a perfect ninth.

Alfonso Soriano homered and Starlin Castro had an RBI triple for the Cubs, who have scored eight runs in their past six games.

The Cubs are enduring their longest losing streak in 15 years. This is the 11th time in their 137-year history that they have lost at least 11 games in a row.

Andrew McCutchen reached base four times and scored a run for Pittsburgh, which has taken the first two games of this series despite scoring a combined four runs.

Longtime Pirates starter Paul Maholm received a no-decision in his first game against his former club.

Twenty-two of the Pirates’ 46 games this season have been decided by one run, and Pittsburgh improved to 13-9 in such contests.

The Cubs intentionally walked McCutchen with a runner at second and one out of a scoreless game in the third. McCutchen has reached base in 33 consecutive games played against Chicago.

Alvarez followed with a single to center, scoring Tabata. Walker then drove McCutchen home with a sacrifice fly.