Pirates rally to beat Cubs in series opener

CHICAGO — After posting an 8-18 record in August, not only are the Pirates motivated to finish the season strong, but they know there is a lot to glean from the stretch run heading into 2025.

“We did not play well for a month,” manager Derek Shelton said pregame Monday. “So it’s important for us to bounce back and have a good finish.”

So far so good. The Pirates erased a three-run deficit in the eighth inning of the series opener against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, knocking off Chicago, 5-3. Bryan Reynolds hit a game-tying three-run homer off reliever Jorge López, and Andrew McCutchen hit a go-ahead solo shot two batters later.

The late rally followed a solid outing by right-hander Jared Jones, who allowed three runs on six hits and one walk in 6 1/3 innings.