Enhanced Box Score: Pirates 8, Cubs 7 – July 26, 2026 - Bleacher Nation

What the report says

Bleacher Nation reported that the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 8-7 on July 26, 2026, in a game that nearly turned into a major Cubs comeback. According to the outlet’s enhanced box score recap, Pittsburgh built a 7-1 advantage within the first three innings, damaging Jameson Taillon with two home runs and a grand slam during the early surge.

The Cubs responded with a three-run inning sparked by Carson Kelly, Pedro Ramirez and Pete Crow-Armstrong, then added another run in the eighth. Chicago pulled within one in its final turn at bat when Seiya Suzuki hit a two-run homer to left field, but the rally ended with Michael Busch grounding out and Ian Happ striking out. Bleacher Nation highlighted Crow-Armstrong’s run-scoring triple off the Clemente wall in right field as a notable moment.

The recap focused heavily on Taillon’s continued struggles in what it described as a difficult 2026 season. Bleacher Nation wrote that his command issues, lower fastball velocity and less effective secondary pitches have made his path forward in the Cubs’ rotation uncertain. The outlet suggested his role could come under review after the outing.

Pedro Ramirez was named Bleacher Nation’s player of the game after filling in at third base while Alex Bregman rested. The article noted Ramirez extended his hitting streak to seven games and framed his recent play, along with Matt Shaw’s roster status, as part of a broader Cubs decision about how to use their depth position players.