Streaking Cubs clinch first playoff spot since '20

"PITTSBURGH -- Ian Happ homered and drove in three runs, and the Chicago Cubs clinched their first postseason berth since 2020 with an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. Chicago has won four in a row and seven of eight overall. It leads the National League wild-card standings with an 88-64 record. Nico Hoerner had two hits and scored three times for the Cubs. Justin Turner hit a pair of RBI singles after entering in the sixth."

"Chicago scored four runs in the first before Pittsburgh recorded an out. Busch walked and scored on a balk before Happ hit his 23rd homer, a two-run drive on a curveball from Johan Oviedo that prompted an early mound visit. Moises Ballesteros drove the next pitch over the wall in right for his second career homer. Bart answered with a three-run shot off Matthew Boyd in the bottom half."

"The Cubs grabbed control with three runs in the sixth, helped by errors on Pirates reliever Yohan Ramírez (1-3) and catcher Joey Bart. Michael Busch drove in Dansby Swanson with a tiebreaking sacrifice fly, and Happ and Turner added run-scoring singles. Aaron Civale (4-9) pitched three scoreless innings for the win. Boyd permitted seven hits and walked two in a season-low three innings. Chicago went 10-3 against Pittsburgh in the season series."

The Chicago Cubs clinched a postseason berth with an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, improving to 88-64 and leading the National League wild-card standings. Ian Happ homered and drove in three runs, while Nico Hoerner had two hits and scored three times. The Cubs scored four runs in the first inning, including Happ's 23rd homer and a Moises Ballesteros solo shot, before the Pirates responded with a three-run homer by Joey Bart and a bases-loaded walk by Andrew McCutchen. Chicago regained control in the sixth on errors and timely RBI plays by Michael Busch, Happ and Justin Turner. Aaron Civale threw three scoreless innings in relief, and Matthew Boyd lasted three innings for Pittsburgh. Chicago finished the season series 10-3 against Pittsburgh.

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