Ramírez Escapes Bases-Loaded Jams, Pirates Top Cubs 4-3 in Extras

Dominican reliever Yohan Ramírez shuts down Cubs in late innings to secure Pittsburgh victory.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:03pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting featuring sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in navy blue, red, and white, conceptually representing the high-stakes drama of a close baseball game between two rival teams.A cubist interpretation of the dramatic extra-innings showdown between the Pirates and Cubs, with the game's tension and energy captured through Picasso-esque geometric abstraction.New Haven Today

In a back-and-forth extra-innings affair, the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on a late error. Dominican reliever Yohan Ramírez was key for the Pirates, escaping bases-loaded jams in the 10th and 11th innings to keep the game tied and set up the winning rally.

Why it matters

This game featured a dramatic late-inning comeback and clutch pitching performance, highlighting the unpredictable nature of baseball and the importance of bullpen depth, especially in close games that go into extras.

The details

With the game tied 3-3 in the 10th and 11th innings, Ramírez was able to strand the bases loaded both times, preserving the tie and allowing the Pirates to eventually score the winning run in the 12th on a throwing error by Cubs reliever Caleb Thielbar.

  • The game went into extra innings after being tied 3-3 at the end of regulation.
  • Ramírez escaped bases-loaded jams in both the 10th and 11th innings.
  • The Pirates scored the winning run in the 12th inning on Thielbar's throwing error.

The players

Yohan Ramírez

A Dominican relief pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates who recorded key outs in extra innings to keep the game tied.

Caleb Thielbar

A relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who committed the throwing error that allowed the winning run to score in the 12th inning.

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What they’re saying

“Ramírez really stepped up for us tonight. Those bases-loaded situations could have gone either way, but he kept his composure and made the pitches we needed.”

— Derek Shelton, Pirates Manager

The takeaway

This game showcased the unpredictability and drama of extra-inning baseball, with the Pirates bullpen making crucial plays to secure the victory and hand the Cubs a tough loss.