Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (4/11/21): Pirates 7, Cubs 1 – Cubs Flop Again in Series Finale

The Cubs headed into Sunday’s rubber match trying to bounce back from an ugly loss at PNC Park on Saturday night. The game may have started earlier, but the result otherwise the same as the Cubs slopped through another lopsided defeat.

Chicago actually took the lead when Javy Báez homered off of JT Brubaker in the 2nd inning. Trevor Williams did not have a fairytale outing in his return to his old home, however, giving up three in the bottom of the 2nd to make it 3-1.

The Pirates continued to add to their lead through the middle innings and by the time pinch-hitter Wilmer Difo hit a two-run homer off of Ryan Tepera in the 7th it was 7-1. The Cubs offense again struggled at the plate, failing to even threaten a rally in the series loss. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Lost

How bad was the Cubs offense Sunday? They only got all of six at-bats with runners in scoring position and stranded them all.

Key Moment

Brubaker lined a two-run single to right to give the Pirates a 3-1 edge in the 2nd inning. He added an RBI groundout in the 3rd.

Stats That Matter

• It was a rough line for Williams, although most of the damage came on singles: 3.1 IP, 5 R, 10 H, 3 K, and 2 BB.
• Willson Contreras had two hits and got hit by another pitch.
• Javy had three ugly punchouts in addition to his home run.

Bottom Line

Losing two of three to a team as bad as the Pirates is not a great sign. Milwaukee now looms with two pitchers who have legit no-hit stuff, so the bats need to get going. The pitching isn’t exactly on a roll either and the Cubs have to tighten things up before they really start falling behind.

On Deck

Chicago begins the aforementioned three-game series in Milwaukee at 6:40pm CT on Monday. Freddy Peralta battles Adbert Alzolay in a game airing on Marquee Sports Network and 670 The Score.