Cubs Defeat Pirates 8-3, Tag Skenes with 3 Home Runs

The Chicago Cubs defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-3, clinching their series behind a power surge in the fifth inning when Dansby Swanson, Kyle Tucker, and Seiya Suzuki hit home runs off Pirates ace Paul Skenes, marking the first time in his career he's allowed three homers in a single game. Suzuki went on to hit a second home run later, contributing three RBIs, while Ian Happ and Michael Busch added key hits for Chicago. Skenes, who had previously given up just one home run all season, struggled through his shortest start, lasting only five innings and matching a career-high with four walks. The Cubs' offense, often overshadowed by bigger-market teams, showcased its depth and potency, helping starter Colin Rea secure the win with six strong innings. Pittsburgh's Bryan Reynolds provided early offense with a solo homer, but the Pirates couldn't recover after the Cubs' fifth-inning rally. The game also followed a serious incident the previous night, with the Pirates organization addressing the critical injury of a fan who fell from the stands.