The Pirates entered the Windy City for series against the White Sox and Cubs 5 1/2 games back of the final NL Wild Card spot with 18 games remaining. As they take the plane back to Pittsburgh, they are in nearly the exact same spot, sitting six games back with just 12 games to go. Pittsburgh avoided the sweep Sunday, taking home a 4-3 victory over the Cubs to finish the road trip 4-2 and hold a 75-75 record entering the season's final two weeks. Brandon Lowe drove home two runs as a pinch-hitter while the Pirates' bullpen threw 3 2/3 no-hit innings to seal the win just a day after the same unit faltered. “There's still a chance,” Lowe said of the Pirates' postseason hopes. “Any way that you want to look at it, whether it be a long shot, whether it be anything. We're still playing meaningful games. That's all you can ask for right now.” The days are now numbered. There is no room for error. A series sweep on the South Side gave some hope of a possible September surge. Pittsburgh routed the White Sox in the first game Tuesday while winning the next two close matchups to extend its winning streak to four. The problem? The Pirates barely moved in the standings, as the Padres and Diamondbacks rarely faltered. The opener on the North Side Friday would be the ultimate test to see if the Pirates had the potential for miracle run down the stretch. Pittsburgh trotted out three rookie pitchers instead of Braxton Ashcraft, who went on the injured list with right arm discomfort. Meanwhile, the Cubs countered with left-hander Shota Imanaga, who has dominated the Pirates in recent memory. The result was as expected: a crushing Chicago victory.
