PITTSBURGH — The Pirates earned their first come-from-behind victory of the 2025 season on Wednesday night, beating the Cubs, 4-3, on a two-run double from designated hitter Andrew McCutchen in the seventh inning. The Pirates improved to 1-14 when trailing after six innings and 12-19 overall.

Lefty Caleb Ferguson earned the win, improving to 1-0, while Ryan Thielbar took the loss, his first of the year. Reliever David Bednar got the save, his third of the season.

McCutchen’s double came with runners on first and second and two outs. He hit a slow grounder up in the middle, and as shortstop Dansby Swanson slid trying to field it, instead it ricocheted into no man’s land in right field. As the Cubs raced to field it, right fielder Bryan Reynolds came around to score from first base.

A fan appeared to fall over the Roberto Clemente Wall celebrating the hit. He was removed from the field on a stretcher. An update was not immediately available.

Carmen Mlodzinski was pulled after allowing the first two runners to reach in the fifth inning. He faced 18 batters and threw 65 pitches, both season lows, but left leading 2-0. Both runners came around to score, meaning Mlodzinski’s final line included six hits, a walk, two earned runs and four strikeouts over four-plus innings.

The Pirates scored two runs off Cubs starter Matthew Boyd. Center fielder Oneil Cruz scorched a double on the first pitch of the game, then scored on a Ke’Bryan Hayes single.

They scored a second in the fourth inning. Catcher Joey Bart led off with a double, then the Pirates loaded the bases with two singles. (Third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes’ infield single did not allow Bart to advance.) Left fielder Tommy Pham struck out before second baseman Jared Triolo hit a fly ball to center. Outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong made a perfect throw home and nearly got Bart at home, who did not slide, but an out call was overturned on review.

The Pirates missed numerous opportunities for further run support. They grounded into three double plays, increasing their majors-high total to 31 this season. Two of three came with two runners on.

It was over when …

Bednar struck out third baseman Jon Berti for the final out. He allowed a single to Swanson but did not allow him to reach second.

On the mound

The Pirates bullpen, after lefty Ryan Borucki allowed Mlodzinski’s two runners to score on a single to leadoff man Ian Happ, was strong. Chase Shugart pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing just one hit, and Caleb Ferguson pitched 1 1/3 without giving up a run.

At the plate

The Pirates had nine hits. Reynolds snapped an 0-for-18 stretch with a fifth inning double, then added a single and scored the game-winning run in the seventh.

Most valuable player

McCutchen provided the game’s key hit. He reached base twice, going 1 for 3 with the two-RBI double and a walk.

Up next

The Pirates and Cubs will conclude their three-game series against the Cubs on Thursday afternoon at 12:35 p.m. Paul Skenes (3-2, 2.39), coming off six-plus shutout innings in Los Angeles, will face Cubs righty Colin Rea (1-0, 0.96). Rea started the season in the bullpen and has made three starts, only throwing five innings once, and has given up two runs in 18 2/3 innings. The game will be televised on SportsNet Pittsburgh and broadcast on the radio on KDKA-AM.

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