Pirates fall victim to another late game rally, resulting in series loss to Cubs

Noah Hiles, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Aug 17, 2025

Published in Baseball

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CHICAGO — Isaac Mattson has been perhaps the most consistent reliever in Don Kelly’s bullpen over the past few months. Unfortunately for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Chicago Cubs were able to force a rare off-day for the right-hander Sunday afternoon at Wrigley Field.

Entering the game with the score tied at three in the bottom of the eighth inning, Chicago rallied to take a 4-3 lead against Mattson, which ended up being the contest’s final score. Shortstop Dansby Swanson drove home the game-winning run, plating Carson Kelly on a sacrifice fly to left field.

Caleb Thielbar was the winning pitcher, improving to 3-3. Mattson suffered the loss, dropping to 3-2.

“He’s been so good for us, coming in in huge situations,” Kelly said of Mattson after the loss. “You look at the first game of the series where he came in, got five outs, threw 30-something pitches, he’s done a fantastic job for us. Today it didn’t work out great, but we trust him and we’re going to keep going to him.”

Unlike the first two games of the series, it was Chicago who drew first blood Sunday. Ian Happ put the Cubs ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the second inning with an RBI single off Carmen Mlodzinski. The run was unearned. The Pirates struck back the following frame, as Spencer Horwitz doubled home Isiah Kiner-Falefa to tie the score at one.

The Cubs retook the lead in the fifth thanks to some good luck. Swanson sent a line drive off the third base bag, which took an ugly hop into left field and scored Happ from second. The run came against Colin Holderman, who made his first appearance in a major league game since May 19.

Joey Bart put Pittsburgh back ahead with a double to left field in the top of the sixth, scoring Nick Gonzales and Jack Suwinski. But Carson Kelly provided another quick counter the next frame, singling home Seiya Suzuki to tie the game at three. That run was surrendered by left-hander Andrew Heaney, who earlier this weekend was moved to the bullpen.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the eighth. Crow-Armstrong led the frame off with a single. Kelly followed with a fielder’s choice, and then advanced from first to third on a ground rule double by Happ. Nico Hoerner was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out, setting up a potential inning-ending double play. But instead, Swanson came through, bringing home the winning run.

Andrew Kittredge closed the game out in the ninth inning, earning his first save of the season. The loss concluded a 1-5 roadtrip for the Pirates.

It was over when …

Swanson brought home Kelly with his sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth inning.

On the mound

Mlodzinski made his first start since May 17 and delivered one of his best outings of the season. After 15 straight outings that went 3 2/3 innings or less, Mlodzinski gave the Pirates four complete frames Sunday, allowing one unearned run on one hit. He struck out three batters and walked none.

“He threw the ball really well, going four innings there for us and keeping it a tie game,” Kelly said. “He came out, gave us a chance to win and threw the ball well. I thought the fastball had really good life and then that split was a really good pitch.”

Earlier this season, as a member of the club’s starting rotation, Mlodzinski’s struggled when facing the order for a second time. Perhaps this start was a sign of growth, as the right-hander retired each of the five batters he faced the second time through the Cubs lineup.

"I think there's some confidence that comes any time you can put up zeroes for your team,” Mlodzinski said. “I think more of the confidence is from the adjustments I've made in general, the past two or three months. I was put in the bullpen, but I was still able to make adjustments to a better pitcher in general. It was good to see that. There were some new pitches that I've been working on over the past three months. Just some small adjustments that have paid off."

Holderman replaced Mlodzinski to start the bottom half of the fifth. He failed to complete the frame, as Heaney took over with an out remaining. Heaney experienced similar struggles, recording just two outs — one in the fifth and one in the sixth — before turning the ball over to Chase Shugart, who logged 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

At the plate

The Pirates out-hit the Cubs 9-6. The big difference in the game was Pittsburgh’s inability to make the most of scoring opportunities. Kelly’s club finished the day 3 for 13 with runners in scoring position and left 10 total men on base.

Most valuable player

Swanson, who drove home two of his club’s four runs, including the game-winner.

Up next

The Pirates return home Monday to begin a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays at PNC Park. Paul Skenes (7-9, 2.13) and Kevin Gausman (8-9, 3.79) will face off on the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET.

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