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 The Pirates (94-60) moved 4 1/2 games ahead of the Cubs (89-64) with
eight regular-season games to play, but Chicago clinched a
postseason berth when the Oakland A's defeated the San Francisco
Giants 5-4 later that night.
Pirates right-hander Gerrit Cole (18-8) worked seven full innings
for the win in a tight duel with Cubs left-hander Jon Lester, who
also worked seven innings and fell to 10-12 with the loss.
Pittsburgh right-handed closer Mark Melancon struggled to shut the
door in the ninth.
He gave up a double to pinch hitter Chris Denorfia and a run-scoring
triple to second baseman Starlin Castro before securing the victory
by striking out Javier Baez for his major-league-leading 51st save.
An announced crowd of 40,432 crowded into Wrigley Field anticipating
history as the Cubs sought to clinch their first postseason playoff
berth since 2008.
Since then, the Cubs had wandered through five straight losing
seasons -- including 101 defeats in 2012 -- plus three managers
until Joe Maddon helped right the ship with a collection of veterans
and promising young talent.
Cole's third-inning one-out single up the middle scored shortstop
Jordy Mercer from second for a 1-0 Pirates lead.
Hitless through the first three innings, the Cubs tied the game 1-1
in the fourth.
Third baseman Kris Bryant collected the Cubs' first hit, a leadoff
single. He reached third on first baseman Anthony Rizzo's bloop
single to center and scored on shortstop Addison Russell's fielder's
choice grounder to short.
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Pirates third baseman Aramis Ramirez doubled into the left-field
corner leading off the seventh. Ramirez was replaced by pinch runner
Keon Broxton, who reached third on catcher Francisco Cervelli's
sacrifice bunt and came home for a 2-1 lead on first baseman Michael
Morse's base hit to right.
Lester and catcher David Ross were both lifted for pinch hitters in
the Cubs seventh. Lester gave up two runs on five hits while
striking out six and walking none.
Cole was pulled for a pinch hitter in the eighth as the Pirates put
men on first and third on Cubs right-handed reliever Pedro Strop.
Mercer scored from third to make it 3-1 on left fielder Starling
Marte's fielder's choice grounder.
Cole allowed one run on four hits, struck out eight and walked a
pair.
The Cubs had runners on first and second with two outs in the eighth
but Rizzo struck out.
(Editing by Julian Linden)
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