It took a while for the Chicago Cubs’ offense to get going on Friday, but it came through when it needed to in a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field.
Shortly after reliever Pedro Strop gave up a game-tying three run home run in the eighth inning, Jason Heyward came through with a clutch RBI single to score Kris Bryant and give the Cubs the victory coming out of the MLB All-Star break.
Randy Rosario got the win in the contest, and Craig Kimbrel picked up his third save as the Cubs closer in the victory.
Robel Garcia and Bryant each drove in runs, and Bryant clubbed his 18th home run of the season.
Yu Darvish was stuck with a no-decision despite a sparkling day on the mound, as he gave up just two hits and struck out eight batters in six quality innings.
The game remained scoreless until the seventh inning, when Bryant smacked a home run to left field to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead. Later in the frame, García came through with a sacrifice fly to score Anthony Rizzo, and David Bote drew a bases-loaded walk to score another run to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead.
In the eighth inning, Strop struggled with close out the frame, and Starling Marte made him pay as he launched a deep home run over the left field bleachers to knot up the contest at 3-3.
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In the bottom of the frame, Heyward came through with a clutch opposite field single to score Bryant and give the Cubs a 4-3 edge.
Kimbrel slammed the door in the ninth, working a perfect frame as the Cubs started their unofficial second half of the season with a victory.
The divisional rivals will continue their series on Saturday afternoon at the Friendly Confines when Jon Lester squares off against Jordan Lyles at 1:20 p.m.
