Pirates Stun Cubs with Comeback Victory

Reynolds and Mlodzinski lead Pittsburgh to surprise win over Imanaga

Apr. 12, 2026 at 8:16am

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes in the team colors of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs, conveying the dynamic action and momentum of their baseball game.A fractured, geometric depiction of the dramatic comeback victory by the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Chicago Cubs, capturing the energy and tension of the game.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Pirates pulled off an unexpected comeback victory over the Chicago Cubs, overcoming a dominant performance by Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga. After being held hitless for six innings, the Pirates rallied late with a two-run homer from Bryan Reynolds to take the lead, backed by a gritty outing from starter Carmen Mlodzinski and clutch relief pitching.

Why it matters

This game showcases how patience, composure, and timely hitting can overcome even the most dominant pitching performances. The Pirates' ability to adjust their strategy mid-game and capitalize on small openings highlights the nuances of baseball strategy and the psychological impact a dramatic comeback can have.

The details

Imanaga had been dominant against the Pirates, allowing just one earned run over 26 innings in his previous four starts. But the Pirates opted for a patient approach, fouling off pitches and grinding out at-bats to wear down the Cubs ace. After Imanaga's departure, the Pirates broke through with a single from Ryan O'Hearn and then a two-run homer from Bryan Reynolds on the first pitch he saw from the reliever. On the mound, Carmen Mlodzinski navigated through traffic in his 5.1 scoreless innings, displaying composure to escape jams without allowing runs. Mason Montgomery then came in to strike out a pinch-hitter with the bases loaded to preserve the lead.

  • Imanaga had been dominant against the Pirates, allowing just one earned run over 26 innings in his previous four starts, including a combined no-hitter last September.
  • In the seventh inning, Ryan O'Hearn broke up Imanaga's no-hit bid with a single.
  • On the very next pitch, Bryan Reynolds hit a two-run homer to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead.

The players

Shota Imanaga

A dominant Cubs pitcher who had been nearly unhittable against the Pirates in recent matchups.

Ryan O'Hearn

A Pirates batter who broke up Imanaga's no-hit bid with a single in the seventh inning.

Bryan Reynolds

The Pirates outfielder who hit a crucial two-run homer immediately after O'Hearn's single to give Pittsburgh the lead.

Carmen Mlodzinski

The Pirates starting pitcher who delivered a gritty, scoreless 5.1 innings despite constant traffic on the bases.

Mason Montgomery

The Pirates relief pitcher who struck out a pinch-hitter with the bases loaded to preserve the lead in the sixth inning.

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What’s next

The Pirates will look to build on this momentum as they continue their series against the Cubs, while the Cubs will aim to bounce back from this unexpected defeat.

The takeaway

This game showcases the value of strategic patience and composure in baseball, as the Pirates were able to overcome a dominant pitching performance through a collective team effort, highlighting the interconnected nature of a successful ballclub.