The Chicago Cubs leaned on Shota Imanaga's masterful seven innings and clutch hitting from Kyle Tucker to edge the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1 on Saturday night, extending their late-season push. Imanaga dominated with six strikeouts and just one run allowed—a Tommy Pham solo shot—while scattering three hits and two walks. The Cubs' offense, quiet for much of the game, broke through in the eighth when Tucker's leadoff double sparked a two-run rally, capped by Seiya Suzuki's RBI single and Nico Hoerner's run-scoring knock. Pittsburgh's bullpen faltered late, with Evan Sisk surrendering both runs in just one-third of an inning.

For the Pirates, Pham's 10th-pitch homer off Imanaga in the fourth was their lone highlight, as the lineup managed just five hits total. Jared Triolo's two-hit night wasn't enough to overcome a 1-for-10 performance with runners in scoring position. The Cubs' bullpen duo of Andrew Kittredge and Brad Keller slammed the door with four combined strikeouts over two scoreless frames, preserving a critical win that keeps Chicago in the thick of the playoff race while Pittsburgh's postseason hopes dim further.