Cubs outlast pirates despite Arrieta losing lead

Jake Arrieta would likely get the ball in a possible wild-card game at Pittsburgh next month, but for now he'll try to boost his NL Cy Young chances against the Pirates.
Arrieta's streak http://www.eaglesshopnfl.com/Authentic-Mark-Sanchez-Jersey of winning starts ended Wednesday night in Pittsburgh.
Pinch-runner Quintin Berry raced home on Anthony Rizzo's sacrifice fly in the top of the 12th inning, and the Cubs slipped by the Pirates 3-2.
No matter, the Chicago Cubs did what they've done every time Arrieta has pitched over the past six weeks: they won.
Arrieta's bid to become the first 20-game winner in the majors went along smoothly before he wavered in the eighth as Pittsburgh rallied to tie it. Arrieta allowed two runs, one earned, and six hits but received a no-decision after winning eight consecutive starts since Aug. 4.
Not that he cared much after the Cubs drew within three games of the Pirates for the top spot in the NL wild-card race despite an errant throw to first in the sixth that gifted Pittsburgh a run and a jam in the eighth he couldn't quite escape unscathed as the Pirates pulled even.
''I made an inexcusable mental mistake Angel Pagan Elite Jersey in the sixth inning that could've potentially cost us the game. That's my one takeaway,'' Arrieta said. ''That'll bother me for a while, but I grinded it out.''
Chris Denorfia singled off Vance Worley (4-6) to start the 12th and was replaced by Berry, who advanced to second on a wild pitch and third on Austin Jackson's single. Starling Marte tracked down Rizzo's sinking liner to left field but had no shot at Berry.
Kris Bryant had three hits for Chicago. Hector Rondon (6-4) worked two innings in a game that served as a potential preview of what awaits the two clubs in October.
''I feel comfortable against anybody,'' Arrieta said. ''The team that I'm facing on any given day isn't really something I put a lot of time and effort into. I just try and scout, do my homework as well as I can, then go from there.''
Neil Walker and Marte had two hits apiece for Pittsburgh, which fell four games behind first-place St. Louis in the NL Central.
Arrieta's rise is one of the main reasons the Cubs are closing in on their first playoff berth since 2008. His 19 wins are two more than he managed from 2012-14 combined, when the right-hander struggled with his command and an identity on the mound.
That's not an issue anymore.
The Pirates, trying to avoid playing in a third straight http://www.bearsfootballprostore.com/WOMENS_YOUTH_SHEA_MCCLELLIN_JERSEY.html wild-card game, didn't exactly do anything to build much confidence should they face the Cubs in the one-game elimination on Oct. 7. All eight of Pittsburgh's hits were singles, and the Pirates went 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position.