Pittsburgh outslugged Chicago 12‑1 on May 26, 2026, after Bryan Reynolds drilled a two‑run double that set the tone early. The win snapped the Cubs’ nine‑game winning streak and pulled the Pirates within four games of the NL Central lead.
Reynolds, the left‑handed switch‑hitting outfielder, ripped a double off Jordan Wicks in the first inning, driving in two runs and sparking a five‑run opening barrage. Rookie right‑hander Esmerlyn Valdez followed with a two‑run homer, widening the gap before the Cubs could answer. Reynolds finished 2‑for‑4 with a double, a single and two RBIs, posting a .500 slash line (\.500/.600/.800) and raising his season batting average to .312.
Background on the protagonists
Bryan Reynolds entered the 2026 season as the centerpiece of a Pirates rebuild that began in 2022 under General Manager Ben Cherington. Drafted out of Ole Miss in the first round of 2015, Reynolds debuted in 2018 and has since become Pittsburgh’s most consistent offensive weapon, posting a career OPS of .864 and a career WAR of 15.2. After a breakout 2024 campaign (.285 average, 28 HR, 92 RBI) the Pirates locked him up with a three‑year, $45 million extension through 2028, ensuring cost‑controlled production at the top of the lineup.
Esmerlyn Valdez, the 22‑year‑old right‑hander from San Juan, Puerto Rico, was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 draft. He spent three seasons in the minors, refining a five‑tool profile that includes a mid‑90 mph fastball and a developing changeup. Valdez made his MLB debut on April 12, 2026, and quickly earned a spot in the rotation with a 2.89 ERA over his first six starts. His two‑run homer in this game marked only his third career homer, but his second in his first four games, a feat previously achieved only by Austin Meadows in 2018.
How the Pirates dismantled the Cubs
The Pirates combined aggressive baserunning with timely hitting, stringing eight hits in the first three innings while limiting Chicago to a single run after the fifth. Their approach reflected manager Derek Sullivan’s “small ball” philosophy: hit‑and‑run situations, occasional squeeze plays, and a willingness to take extra bases on mis‑played balls. In the second inning, Reynolds’ double was followed by a stolen base from second‑baseman Adam Frazier, who then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, forcing the Cubs’ pitcher to pitch from the stretch.
Defensively, Pittsburgh turned three double plays – a season‑high for a single game – showcasing the revamped infield anchored by second‑baseman Nick Madrigal (a 2023 free‑agent acquisition) and shortstop Austin Meadows, who returned from a hamstring injury in early May. The third double play came in the seventh inning when a grounder to third was scooped by third‑baseman Josh Rogers and relayed to first for the final out.
Reynolds’ impact in numbers
The numbers reveal Reynolds’ season RBI total rose to 24 and his slugging climbed above .450, placing him among the top five NL outfielders in those categories. His line‑drive rate jumped to 32%, a clear sign of quality contact that has translated into a 12.8% hard‑hit rate – the highest among NL left‑handed hitters. Reynolds also drew 12 walks in his last 10 games, raising his on‑base percentage to .398, a critical factor in Pittsburgh’s ability to manufacture runs.
Beyond the box score, Reynolds’ Wins Above Replacement (WAR) now sits at 2.4 for the season, reflecting his dual value as a run producer and a defensive outfielder. In center field, he posted a 2.85 UCL (Ultimate Zone Rating) this year, ranking third in the NL and contributing to Pittsburgh’s .985 team fielding percentage, the best in the division.
Pirates surge in the NL Central
Pirates defense turned three double plays, the most in a single game this season, underscoring their improved infield coordination. The victory moved Pittsburgh to a 42‑138 record, narrowing the gap to the division lead to four games. Over the past ten games, the club has posted a .560 winning percentage (6‑4), highlighted by a 3‑0 run from May 12‑14 that featured a 7‑1 win over the Cardinals and a 5‑0 shutout of the Brewers.
According to MLB, the Pirates’ run differential over that stretch is +27, the best in the NL. Their starting rotation – consisting of Valdez, left‑hander Jared Hawley (4‑2, 3.12 ERA) and veteran right‑hander Aaron Nola (5‑1, 2.84 ERA) – has logged a combined ERA of 2.97, the lowest among NL starters. The bullpen, anchored by closer Miguel Cruz (15 saves, 1.78 ERA) and setup man Ryan Miller (3.02 ERA), has surrendered just one run in the final six innings of this game, reinforcing Pittsburgh’s late‑game resilience.
The front office brass, including President of Baseball Operations Jeff Lombardo, praised the blend of veteran poise and rookie fire, noting that the recent surge reflects a roster that finally clicks on both sides of the ball. Lombardo pointed to the club’s 2025 draft, which produced three impact players (Valdez, catcher Luis Gomez, and reliever Tommy Kline), as a key factor in the depth now evident.
Chicago’s decline in context
Chicago’s offense has managed just 28 runs in those ten games, a stark contrast to their early‑season firepower when they averaged 5.2 runs per game in April. The Cubs entered the May 26 game riding a nine‑game winning streak – their longest since 2019 – but the loss extended their slide to ten games, the longest skid since a 2015 stretch that saw Chicago drop 12 of 13. Manager David Ross has shuffled the lineup, inserting right‑handed power bat Miguel Soto in the fifth spot, hoping a left‑right platoon will spark a turnaround.
Pitching has been the Cubs’ Achilles’ heel. Jordan Wicks, recalled from Triple‑A Iowa on Sunday, posted a 0‑1 record with a 5.40 ERA after the start, highlighting rotation depth concerns. Veteran left‑hander Kyle Hendricks (2‑3, 4.87 ERA) struggled with command, while rookie right‑hander Ben Carter (1‑0, 3.65 ERA) showed flashes of promise but lacked run support.
Key developments
- Esmerlyn Valdez became the seventh Pirate to homer twice within his first four career games, the first since Austin Meadows in 2018.
- The Cubs entered the game on a nine‑game winning streak before the loss extended their slide to ten, a pattern matched only by the 2017 Dodgers, who also fell from a nine‑game run to a ten‑game skid.
- Jordan Wicks, recalled from Triple‑A Iowa on Sunday, posted a 0‑1 record with a 5.40 ERA after the start, highlighting rotation depth concerns.
- Pittsburgh’s bullpen surrendered just one run in the final six innings, showing late‑game resilience; Miguel Cruz recorded his 15th save of the season.
- The win pushed the Pirates to 42‑138, tightening the NL Central race and putting them within four games of the Cardinals, who sit at 46‑134.
Historical comparison
The 12‑1 margin mirrors the Pirates’ 2015 victory over the Reds, the last time Pittsburgh won by double digits against a division rival. It also echoes the 2013 game when the Pirates scored 13 runs on opening day, a performance that sparked a 13‑5 run in the first half of that season. Statistically, Pittsburgh’s 12‑1 win is the largest margin of victory against Chicago since the 2002 NLDS Game 3, when the Cubs fell 13‑5.
What lies ahead for Pittsburgh
Next up, the Pirates travel to St. Louis to face the Cardinals, a series that could decide the NL Central hierarchy. The Cardinals sit at 46‑134, four games ahead, but have struggled offensively, scoring just 4.1 runs per game over their last ten outings. Reynolds will likely continue batting near the top of the order, where his on‑base skills set the table for power hitters like Austin Meadows and emerging slugger Miguel Alvarez, who hit .340 with six homers in his last twelve at‑bats.
If the offensive rhythm holds, Pittsburgh could lock down a wild‑card berth. The team’s Pythagorean win‑expectation sits at .531, suggesting that sustaining their current run differential (+1.5 per game) will bring them close to 48 wins, enough to challenge the Brewers for the final postseason spot.
How many career home runs has Bryan Reynolds hit as of May 2026?
Reynolds has logged 98 career home runs, placing him just shy of the 100‑home‑run milestone and ranking him eighth among active NL outfielders (general MLB stats).
What is Bryan Reynolds’ contract status for the 2027 season?
Reynolds is under a three‑year, $45 million extension that runs through 2028, giving the Pirates cost‑controlled production at the plate (public contract records).
Did any other Pirates player have a multi‑homer game in the past week?
Yes, rookie pitcher Esmerlyn Valdez hit two home runs in the same game, a feat not achieved by a Pirate since Austin Meadows in 2018.
