Pirates Escape Bases-Loaded Jams to Beat Cubs in Extras

Yohan Ramírez's clutch pitching preserves Pittsburgh's lead in NL Central

Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:47pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes in navy, green, and orange, conceptually representing the back-and-forth action of a close baseball game.A fractured, geometric illustration captures the tension and drama of the Pirates' extra-inning victory over the Cubs.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Chicago Cubs 4-3 in extra innings on Saturday, clinching the three-game series. Reliever Yohan Ramírez escaped bases-loaded jams in the 10th and 11th innings to preserve the lead, and the Pirates took advantage of a throwing error by Cubs pitcher Caleb Thielbar to score the go-ahead run.

Why it matters

The win keeps the Pirates in first place in the NL Central division, as they continue their push for the playoffs. The Cubs, meanwhile, fall further behind in the division race with the loss.

The details

In the 10th and 11th innings, Ramírez worked out of bases-loaded situations to keep the game tied. In the 12th, the Pirates took the lead when Thielbar's throwing error allowed a run to score. The Pirates' bullpen was able to hold on for the victory.

  • The game took place on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

The players

Yohan Ramírez

A relief pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates who escaped two bases-loaded jams in extra innings to preserve the lead.

Alex Bregman

The Pittsburgh Pirates player who hit the go-ahead RBI single in the 12th inning.

Caleb Thielbar

The Chicago Cubs pitcher whose throwing error allowed the go-ahead run to score for the Pirates in the 12th inning.

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What they’re saying

“Yohan 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, Pittsburgh Pirates Manager

What’s next

The Pirates will look to sweep the series against the Cubs in the final game on Sunday.

The takeaway

The Pirates' ability to win close, extra-inning games against division rivals like the Cubs will be crucial as they try to maintain their lead in the NL Central race.