Overview

• Pete Crow-Armstrong’s two-run homer lifted the Cubs to a 3-2 series-opening victory as Jameson Taillon allowed two runs over 6⅓ innings.
• Paul Skenes delivered five shutout innings in Game 2 before Dennis Santana and David Bednar combined to close out a 2-1 Pirates win in 10 innings.
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa threw out a would-be tying runner at the plate in the fifth inning and later drove in the game-winner with a sacrifice fly.
• The Cubs stranded nine runners and went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position, extending their run-production woes.
• Saturday’s Game 3 will feature Pittsburgh right-hander Mike Burrows against Cubs veteran Matthew Boyd in a series now tied at one game each.