Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (4/11/26): Pirates 4, Cubs 3 F/11 – Clutch Hits Prove Elusive in Extras

The Cubs suffered their second consecutive incredibly frustrating loss against the Pirates at Wrigley Field on Saturday afternoon. They rallied to push the game to extras, but their massive issues hitting with runners in scoring position prevented a victory.

Starter Edward Cabrera was not quite as sharp as his first two outings. He allowed three runs in the early going, beginning with a 2nd inning Spencer Horwitz double play that brought in the first tally. A Bryan Reynolds RBI single and a sacrifice fly by Ryan O’Hearn put Pittsburgh in front 3-0 in the 3rd.

The North Siders had a hard time with Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft, but they did scratch out a run on a Nico Hoerner groundout in the bottom of the 5th. Dansby Swanson repeated the feat in the 7th against reliever Justin Lawrence to cut the deficit to 3-2.

The Cubs were down to their final out against closer Dennis Santana in the 9th when Alex Bregman came through with an RBI single to even the score and force extra innings. Neither team pushed across a run in the 10th, then a throwing error by reliever Caleb Thielbar gave Pittsburgh a 4-3 lead in the 11th.

The Cubs had men on second and third with not outs, then loaded the bases, but they were unable to bring in even a run and lost by that the same 4-3 margin. (Box score)

Key Moment

The Cubs had runners in scoring position in each of the final five innings and could only muster a pair of runs.

Why the Cubs Lost

They went 1-for-15 with RISP and stranded 16 runners, which is almost impossible to do.

Stats That Matter

• Cabrera was not great but he was hardly bad: 5 IP, 3 R, 8 H, 4 K, and 3 BB.
• Moisés Ballesteros had a pair of singles in his two at-bats.
• Michael Conforto reached three more times with two walks and a single.

Bottom Line

The Cubs have left 27 men on base the past two games, which is staggering and seemingly unsustainable. If they keep getting this many people on, they should be able to get some of them home at some point. The offense is built on power and they have gotten very little of it through 14 games. That needs to change.

On Deck

The North Siders attempt to avoid the sweep on Sunday at 1:20pm CT. Jameson Taillon goes up against Bubba Chandler in a contest broadcast on Marquee with a radio feed on The Score.