The Pirates left the bases loaded three times without scoring yesterday, losing 2-0 to the Cubs. The Bucs sent a combined six batters to the plate with the bases full, including with no outs in the 5th inning, and their failure to produce even a single run with six at-bats has been matched only one other time in the last 45 years, by the 1980 New York Mets.
Cubs starter Jon Lester out-dueled the Pirates Steven Brault, who gave up only two hits and struck out eight in seven innings. Chicago’s Kris Byrant hit the first pitch of the seventh innings into the left-field stands for the game-winning margin.
The two teams will play tonight at Williamsport in the MLB Little League Classic. Mitch Keller gets the start for the Pirates.
