Just when the Pittsburgh Pirates seemed down and out after a disastrous event inning, outfielder Starling Marte came through in the eighth with a clutch blast out of Wrigley Field.
Marte came to the plate with two runners on and a chance to be a hero with only four out remaining in the game. He promptly unloaded on a 93-mph fastball for a three-run shot that left the yard and wiped away Chicago’s lead.
Before the seventh inning, the game had been entirely dominated by starting pitchers Yu Darvish and Chris Archer. The duo combined to allow just three hits and struck out 18 batters as neither offense could make any real contact.
The wheels came off for Archer in the third inning when he allowed a solo home run to Kris Bryant then let two consecutive batters reach before he departed and the bullpen surrendered two more runs.
Fortunately for the Pirates, Marte came through for his teammates once again and put them in position for a potential comeback and a shot at a big win to open the second half.