Pirates starter Gerrit Cole was more lucky than good Thursday against the Cubs.
Not that he pitched poorly. He surrendered three earned runs on five hits in six innings with 10 strikeouts, the second-highest total of his career. But he left the game with a 4-0 deficit after giving up three runs in the fourth.
A loss or no-decision at best seemed inevitable for Cole, but the Pirates exploded for five runs in the seventh and held on to give him a victory and 2-0 record.