The Chicago Cubs fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 on Sunday, September 13, at Wrigley Field, dropping a one-run division game that came down to the final out. Miguel Amaya's two-run home run gave the Cubs life, but starter Matthew Boyd couldn't hold the lead early enough, surrendering four earned runs across 5.1 innings. The Cubs bullpen kept Chicago in it the rest of the way, but Mason Montgomery shut the door in the ninth to earn the save and hand Pittsburgh the win. It's a gut-punch loss against a division rival with September on the line.

Matthew Boyd Struggles Early, Cubs Bullpen Holds the Line

Boyd was the central problem Sunday. He allowed seven hits and two walks across 5.1 innings, giving up all four of Pittsburgh's runs and taking the loss. His three strikeouts weren't enough to offset the damage. When you're yielding seven hits in a little over five frames against a division opponent, you're asking your bullpen to bail you out — and to their credit, the Cubs' relievers largely did.

Aaron Civale followed with two scoreless innings, striking out two while allowing just one hit. Caleb Thielbar worked 0.2 innings with a strikeout and no earned runs. Daniel Palencia closed out his inning cleanly, punching out one batter and allowing no hits. The bullpen combined for 3.2 innings of shutout ball — which should have been enough. It wasn't, because the offense couldn't close the gap.

Amaya Homers, Busch Goes 2-for-4, but Cubs Can't Complete the Comeback

The offense had its moments. Miguel Amaya was the brightest spot in the Cubs lineup, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. That's the kind of performance you need from your catcher in a tight September game. Michael Busch also went 2-for-4, giving Chicago two players with multi-hit games — yet the Cubs still couldn't push across enough runs.

The event data confirms this was a comeback attempt: Pittsburgh overcame a deficit to lead, and the Cubs were chasing from there. Amaya's homer drew Chicago closer, but the Cubs finished one run short. Three runs against a Pittsburgh pitching staff that walked four Cubs batters is the real story of the offensive shortfall. The opportunities were there; the execution wasn't consistent enough.

Bubba Chandler Gets the Win Despite a Shaky Outing

Pittsburgh starter Bubba Chandler was far from dominant. He allowed five hits and four walks over 5.1 innings, giving up three earned runs. That's a 5.06 ERA for the outing — the kind of line that typically hands the other team a win. The Cubs had chances to knock him out early but couldn't capitalize fully. Carmen Mlodzinski followed with 1.2 scoreless innings, Luke Weaver threw a clean frame, and Montgomery finished it off with a perfect ninth to secure the save.

Key Performers

Cubs

  • Miguel Amaya: 2-for-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI
  • Michael Busch: 2-for-4
  • Aaron Civale: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 K
  • Daniel Palencia: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K

Pirates

  • Bryan Reynolds: 2-for-4, 1 RBI
  • Jake Mangum: 2-for-3
  • Bubba Chandler (W): 5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 K, 4 BB
  • Mason Montgomery (SV): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER

What's Next for the Cubs

The Cubs will need to move past this one quickly. A one-run loss to a division opponent in September is exactly the kind of game that can loom large in the standings. Chicago's rotation needs Boyd to be sharper in his next turn, and the offense has to be more decisive when opposing starters are struggling with command. The opportunity was there on Sunday — four Pittsburgh walks in 5.1 innings — and the Cubs left too much on the table.