Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/26/24): Cubs 18, Pirates 8 – Another Offensive Outburst Leads to Blowout

The Cubs had their third double-digit scoring outburst in the last week, putting up a whopping 18 runs against the Pirates at PNC Park Monday night. The big blow came on a grand slam by Dansby Swanson, but the real heroes in this one were Pete Crow-Armstrong and Miguel Amaya, who continue to power Chicago’s attack from the bottom of the lineup.

Back-to-back RBI singles from Crow-Armstrong and Amaya got the North Siders on the board against Pittsburgh starter Mitch Keller in the top of the 2nd. Cody Bellinger added an RBI double in the 3rd inning to increase the lead to 3-0. The home team got two of those runs back against Jameson Taillon in the bottom of the frame on a run-scoring groundout and a solo homer by Bryan Reynolds.

The score remained 3-2 until the Cubs exploded on Pirates reliever Domingo Germán in the 6th inning. Amaya hit a two-run double and came home on a two-out hit by Seiya Suzuki to make it 6-2. Germán then walked three consecutive batters to force in another tally before Swanson blasted his grand slam to left to balloon Chicago’s advantage to 11-2.

Dansby good, Dansby GRAND. pic.twitter.com/suBBZSQiH1

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 27, 2024

Both teams were able to pick up some garbage-time runs in this one but it was effectively over after the 6th inning snowman. Cubs base runners stole eight bags on Monday, the most they have swiped in one contest since 1911. Pittsburgh was forced to have burly first baseman Rowdy Tellez pitch the final inning as the road team eventually prevailed 18-6. (Box score)

Key Moment

The Cubs had a little bit of trouble getting men in from third base early in the game Monday, so it was big when Suzuki brought Amaya home with two outs in the 6th. They probably didn’t expect five more runs to follow after that single, but it was a very nice bonus.

Why the Cubs Won

The feast or famine offense was definitely in feast mode Monday, absolutely burying the Pirates in the late innings.

Stats That Matter

• Taillon gave up some hard contact but pitched more than well enough to win with the support he got in this one: 6.2 IP, 4 R, 8 H, 3 K, and 0 BB.
• Amaya had four more knocks, including two doubles and four RBI as he is just scorching hot right now.
• PCA also got on base four more times while stealing three bases and has been a dynamo the last month.
• Isaac Paredes had his first three-hit game as a Cub, with one going for a solo homer.
• There were 34 total hits in this one, 21 of which came from the Cubs.

Bottom Line

Chicago’s lineup looks completely different when PCA and Amaya are playing this well. Suddenly, the absolute black hole at the bottom of the order is gone and opposing pitchers don’t have a pair of automatic outs. While this development may have come too late to salvage this season, things might get very interesting if it carries over into 2025.

On Deck

The two teams meet again for the second game of the series Tuesday night at 5:40pm CT. Justin Steele makes the start against talented young Pirates’ starter Jared Jones in a matchup available on Marquee and 670 The Score.