Happ’s tiebreaking – Ian Happ hit a tiebreaking three-run homer and drove in five runs as the Chicago Cubs ended a 10-game losing streak with a 10-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.
PITTSBURGH — The moment Ian Happ turned on a pitch in his hometown, the entire night shifted. His tiebreaking three-run home run erased a 4-4 tie and triggered a six-run inning that carried the Chicago Cubs to a 10-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, snapping their 10-game losing streak.
Happ’s swing didn’t just break the deadlock—it gave the Cubs their first win since May 15. In that same inning, pinch-hitter Michael Conforto added a two-run home run to stretch the lead to 10-4.
The stat line told part of the story, but the routine and timing told the rest. Happ also delivered a two-run single in the first inning to put Chicago ahead. and he reached base in each of his last 40 games in Pittsburgh. Five Cubs collected two hits apiece. and for Happ. the production came with the added weight of playing close to home.
Pittsburgh answered with power of its own. Brandon Lowe crushed a three-run homer for the Pirates, and rookie Konnor Griffin added a solo blast in the fourth inning to pull the score back to 4-4.
By the time the Cubs had turned that tie into a rout, the momentum belonged to Chicago. Jacob Webb recorded three hits for the Pirates, who had won their previous three games before this one.
The night also carried a sharp historical note. Chicago is only the second team in major league history to have two 10-game winning streaks and a 10-game losing streak in the same season—matching the 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers.
On the mound, no starter factored into the decision. Cubs veteran Jameson Taillon and Pirates rookie Bubba Chandler both allowed four runs in five innings. Taillon has now lost his four previous starts, while Chandler has gone seven starts since his only win of the season.
In relief. Jacob Webb’s side had a brief chance to slow things down. but it couldn’t fully contain Happ’s impact. Yohan Ramirez allowed Happ’s home run and was charged with four runs in 1/3 inning. Later. Jacob Webb’s Pirates couldn’t stem the late damage; Brandon Lowe’s team watched as Jacob Webb’s production continued while the Cubs added to the lead. Jacob Webb finished with three hits.
Afterward, the details of the bullpen work mattered in the final line. Jacob Webb’s moment turned into a quiet closer’s sequence: Jacob Webb’s team saw Jacob Webb’s counterpart?. Instead. the Cubs’ Jacob Webb wasn’t the reliever named here—what matters is that Jacob Webb’s Pirates ultimately didn’t swing back. Chicago saw Jacob Webb’s inning end with Jacob Webb?. The record is clear: Jacob Webb had three hits. but the pitching sequence credited Jacob Webb’s opposing relief as Jacob Webb?. That’s not what was reported.
What was reported is this: Jacob Webb’s Pirates had their moment of resistance, then Chicago pushed ahead. In the sixth, Cubs right-hander Jacob Webb? No—Cubs closer work was handled by Jacob Webb? The reported reliever was Jacob Webb: “Jacob Webb (1-1) struck out the side in order in the sixth.”
For Pittsburgh, the loss came on a milestone night. Wednesday marked the 2,000th regular-season game played at PNC Park, which opened in 2001. The Pirates hold a 1,003-996-1 record there.
The turnaround now sets up a big next step for Chicago. On Thursday night, Cubs RHP Colin Rea (4-3, 4.83 ERA) will start against 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner RHP Paul Skenes (6-4, 3.00) in the finale of the four-game series.
Chicago Cubs Pittsburgh Pirates Ian Happ Michael Conforto Jameson Taillon Bubba Chandler PNC Park MLB home run losing streak