Cubs Walk-Off Pirates on Christopher Morel's RBI Single

The Chicago Cubs were down bad over the past two games. A rough outing from Justin Steele on Thursday and down-right dominance from Paul Skenes on Friday found the Cubs staring a potential series loss in the face entering Saturday. Could they rebound to set up the chance for a split on Sunday?

Tale of the Tape

Saturday was a true pitcher's duel. LHP Bailey Falter pitched lights out for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Shota Imanaga was once again on full display for the Cubs.

Falter was sensational over 7.2 innings of work. Only allowing five total baserunners (three hits, two walks), Falter dealt against the MLB ERA leader. Although the lefty only struck out two batters, he cruised in his outing on Saturday.

As for Imanaga, the lefty continued his historic start to his MLB career. Lowering his ERA to 0.84, Imanaga now has the lowest ERA ever for any pitcher through their first nine starts in MLB.

Imanaga went 7.0 innings, allowing just four hits (all singles) and one walk while striking out seven batters. The largest threat for either side came in the top of the seventh when the Pirates had men at first and second. It was the first time either team put a runner in scoring position. As usual, Imanaga shut down the threat keeping the game scoreless.

The Cubs finally threatened late, loading the bases with two outs in the bottom of the eighth. Unfortunately, Patrick Wisdom struck out swinging. Once again, the Cubs were unable to drive men in with the bases juiced.

The Pirates went down quickly in the ninth inning. Mark Leiter Jr. and Hector Neris were brilliant in the eighth and ninth, respectively. Leiter Jr. struck out the side while Neris punched out two of three hitters.

In the bottom of the ninth, the first extra-base hit of the game came off of Cody Bellinger's bat. Following a Seiya Suzuki flyout, Bellinger was in scoring position.

Christopher Morel came to the dish in the next at-bat and whacked a single up the middle of the diamond. Bellinger was sent on the play and the ball beat him to the plate. An off-line throw was handled by catcher Joey Bart as he went for the tag. Although he beat Bellinger to the plate, Bart failed to hang on to the ball. The run counted and the Cubs walked it off.

The Pirates challenged, but the play was called correctly on the field for a 1-0 Cubs win .

Sho[W]-ta Stopper

Shota Imanaga continues to pitch at an elite level for the Cubs. Although he and Bailey Falter dueled all afternoon, Imanaga worked another textbook start. He leads MLB with a 0.84 ERA after Saturday's outing.

Just like Javier Assad on Wednesday night , Imanaga functioned as the stopper for the Cubs. Amidst a two-game losing streak, the Cubs managed to pull out a gutsy win over the pesky Pirates.

Morel may have played hero, but Imanaga once again was the show stopper, delivering another Cy Young-worthy performance at the Friendly Confines.

If Imanaga keep this pace going, an All-Star bid and some hardware are likely in his future.

What's On Tap Next?

The Cubs and Pirates wrap up their four-game series on Sunday at Wrigley Field. The 1:20 p.m. CDT first pitch will feature RHP Jameson Taillon for the Cubs and RHP Mitch Keller for the Pirates.

Following the series finale, the Cubs receive a well-needed off day on Monday before beginning at three-game set with the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field on Tuesday evening.

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