Seiya Suzuki Hits Two Home Runs as Cubs Blast Past Paul Skenes’ Pirates
Seiya Suzuki powered the Chicago Cubs to a dominant victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates with a two-home-run performance, leading his team to a lopsided win against rookie sensation Paul Skenes. Suzuki launched a solo shot in the third inning and followed it with a three-run blast in the fifth, putting the game well out of reach and silencing the Pittsburgh crowd.
Skenes, the Pirates’ highly touted prospect making one of his early MLB starts, struggled to find his rhythm against a relentless Cubs lineup. He lasted only four innings, giving up seven earned runs, including both of Suzuki’s long balls. The Cubs capitalized on nearly
every opportunity, racking up 12 runs on 15 hits, with Cody Bellinger and Nico Hoerner also contributing multi-hit games.
On the mound, Cubs starter Justin Steele delivered a strong performance, allowing just two runs over six innings and striking out eight. The Cubs bullpen closed it out efficiently, stifling any late hopes of a Pirates comeback.
With the win, the Cubs continued to assert themselves in the NL Central, while the Pirates were left searching for answers after Skenes’ rough outing. Suzuki’s breakout game underscored his importance to Chicago’s postseason ambitions.