CHICAGO (Interstat) — The Chicago Cubs scored two runs in the eighth inning to overtake the Pittsburgh Pirates and secure a 4-3 victory on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 12, 2026, at Wrigley Field. The Cubs improved to 83-66 and moved a half-game ahead of Philadelphia for the National League’s top wild-card spot, pending the Phillies’ afternoon game against Atlanta. Pittsburgh dropped to 74-75. The Cubs won the series opener 12-2 on Friday afternoon and clinched at least a split of the three-game weekend set.

Chicago built an early lead against Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes. Michael Busch hit a solo home run to center field in the first inning. Pedro Ramírez added a solo shot to right-center in the third. Skenes otherwise kept the Cubs in check, pitching seven innings and allowing two earned runs on four hits with four strikeouts. He also hit a batter and walked one. Chicago starter Clay Holmes was sharp for much of the afternoon. The veteran sinkerballer generated seven groundouts over the first five innings and struck out six. He kept Pittsburgh off the scoreboard until the sixth.

Both starters settled in after the early home runs. Skenes struck out Oneil Cruz and Brandon Lowe in the first, then worked around a single by Bryan Reynolds. Holmes retired the side in order in the second and fifth, and he used a double play to escape the fourth after Ian Happ walked and Nico Hoerner singled. Chicago put a runner in scoring position in the sixth when Alex Bregman singled, but Busch grounded into a double play. Pittsburgh left the bases loaded in the sixth after O’Hearn’s homer when Spencer Horwitz walked, Jacob Gonzalez singled and Henry Davis walked. Skenes ended that threat by getting Cruz to ground out.

Pittsburgh finally broke through in the sixth. Brandon Lowe led off with a single. Bryan Reynolds then reached on a fielding error by Cubs shortstop Nico Hoerner. That mistake opened the door for Ryan O’Hearn, who hit a three-run home run to right field. The blast scored Lowe and Reynolds and gave the Pirates a 3-2 lead. Holmes finished with 5 2/3 innings pitched, five hits allowed, two earned runs and six strikeouts. He did not factor in the decision.

The Cubs answered in the eighth against Pittsburgh reliever Gregory Soto. Pedro Ramírez led off with a double to left field. Soto retired the next two batters, but then lost his command. He hit Alex Bregman with a pitch. Seiya Suzuki walked to load the bases. Matt Shaw then drew a walk that forced in Ramírez and tied the game. Nico Hoerner was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing home Bregman with the go-ahead run. Soto finished with one inning pitched, one hit allowed, two earned runs and two strikeouts. He took the loss and fell to 6-5.

Chicago’s bullpen covered the final 10 outs. Ryan Rolison earned the win in relief, improving to 9-1. He pitched 1 2/3 innings and allowed one hit. Jacob Webb followed with 1 1/3 hitless innings and one strikeout. Ryan Zeferjahn recorded the final out for his sixth save, striking out one in one-third of an inning. The Pirates threatened in the ninth when Rafael Flores Jr. singled with one out, but Zeferjahn and the Chicago defense closed the game. Oneil Cruz lined out, Brandon Lowe flew out and Bryan Reynolds was called out on strikes to end it.

Ryan O’Hearn led Pittsburgh with a 1-for-4 performance that included his 18th home run and three RBIs. Busch went 1-for-3 with his 19th home run and one RBI. Ramírez went 2-for-3 with his sixth home run, a double and one RBI. Hoerner went 1-for-3 with one RBI. Pittsburgh finished with six hits, while Chicago had five. The Cubs grounded into two double plays. Pittsburgh pitchers combined for 20 strikes, 57 balls and 20 balls in play. Chicago pitchers combined for 12 strikes, 32 balls and 12 balls in play.

The game drew an announced attendance of 39,422 and lasted 2 hours, 28 minutes. Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes took a no-decision after seven innings of work. He allowed two earned runs on four hits and struck out four. Chicago’s Clay Holmes also received a no-decision. The teams are scheduled to conclude their series Sunday afternoon in Chicago. Pittsburgh will then return home to host Milwaukee for three games starting Tuesday. Chicago will host Atlanta for three games beginning Monday. After the Atlanta series, Chicago will travel to Cincinnati for a three-game set starting Friday. Pittsburgh will host Kansas City for three games beginning Friday.

The result kept Chicago in strong position in the National League playoff race. The Cubs entered the day contending for the top wild-card berth and gained ground with the victory. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, remained below .500 and continued a road trip that has included stops at the Chicago White Sox and the Cubs. The Pirates had won three of four before Saturday’s loss. Chicago had won two straight after a three-game losing streak earlier in the month. The Cubs also hold the tiebreaker over Philadelphia, having won the season series between the clubs.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Pittsburgh 8, Chicago 4. Interstat’s ELO system gave Chicago a 59.9 percent probability to win. Pittsburgh had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of minus 1.5. The game’s total of seven finished under the over-under line of 8.5.