'Job well done' by Boyd, who settles in after prolonged first

PITTSBURGH – When Cubs starter Matthew Boyd toed the rubber to deliver his 29th pitch of the first inning Wednesday night, the idea of him lasting through five seemed like a longshot.

Instead, the left-hander bounced back from a frustrating opening frame to give Cubs manager Craig Counsell five solid innings, allowing just two runs in the team’s 4-3 loss to the Pirates at PNC Park. Boyd struck out six batters, walked three, and allowed six hits on 83 pitches (52 strikes).

“I thought it was a night where he had to battle, and he battled well,” Counsell said. “They had a blooper in the first to score a run. He battled, he made some big pitches, made a huge pitch in the fifth to get a double play and get us out of it and give us a chance. So it was a job well done.”

With Brad Keller pitching with a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning, Pirates infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa reached first base on an error by third baseman Jon Berti. Cubs left-hander Caleb Thielbar entered the game and struck out Oneil Cruz swinging, but a Bryan Reynolds single put runners at first and second with two outs with Andrew McCutchen stepping in.

Batting in a 3-2 count, McCutchen chopped a ball on the left side of the infield that deflected off shortstop Dansby Swanson into no-man's land in right-center field, scoring a pair of runs that proved the difference in the game.

“It was one of those plays … obviously Nico [Hoerner] and I both were kind of converging and trying to keep it in [the infield],” Swanson said. “I don't think there was going to be a play to any of the bases, but [I was] just trying to keep the ball in. Unfortunately, I kind of slid and hockey goalied it to right field.

“It’s just kind of part of the game, and something that obviously doesn't happen too often.”

“Regarding the game, I think it’s one of those nights that shows you it’s hard to win Major League baseball games,” Counsell added. “Some weird stuff happened in the game. They scored two runs on a very odd play, and that was it.”

After McCutchen’s hit, a fan fell from the seats in right field and was transported to nearby Allegheny General Hospital.

“I was inside so I didn't see what happened, but I heard about it,” Boyd said. “It’s scary stuff. Definitely praying for him, and we’re praying that everything is OK.”

“It’s definitely kind of a humble reminder of the gratitude that we get to be able to play this game,” Swanson said. “There's so many folks out there that obviously support us and come to games and are a big reason why we are able to do what we do. It’s obviously tough and just kind of puts things into perspective and makes you want to tell everybody you love them and never taking that for granted.”