PITTSBURGH — No matter how many times Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ returns to PNC Park, the experience is special.
The Pittsburgh native always has family and friends in the stands when the Cubs are in town. On Friday night that included his high school baseball coach sitting behind the on-deck circle watching Happ help lead the Cubs to a 7-2 win over the Pirates.
There are still moments when Happ will look up high to the left-field stands where he would sit with his $9 tickets to watch his hometown Pirates.
“It’s just really special,” Happ said. “Really cool, full circle.”
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Happ had two hits in the victory, including an RBI double in the seventh inning to give the Cubs a three-run lead, to continue his hot hitting at PNC Park. Happ extended his major-league-record streak of 60 straight starts reaching safely against the Pirates dating to Sept. 26, 2018. In 52 career games at PNC, he is hitting .289 with 19 doubles, one triple, six home runs and 27 RBIs.
And to top off his multihit night, Happ’s home run robbery for the second out of the ninth came off the bat of Andrew McCutchen, whom he rooted for as a teen after the slugger debuted for the Pirates in 2009. Happ perfectly played the long drive to left field to prevent a two-run homer, giving a boost, too, for struggling reliever Adbert Alzolay and a much-needed scoreless ninth.
“I felt bad — I have so much respect for him,” Happ said of McCutchen. “Hitting that ball and bringing it back, but he’s a phenomenal player who’s had a great career.”
Perhaps the comfort of returning to his home city gets Happ on a roll. Friday represented Happ’s third multihit game in May after having only four such games through April. The Cubs (23-16) would benefit from the offense stepping up and taking pressure off the pitching staff, especially a rotation that has carried a significant load so far. Cody Bellinger has been locked in since coming off the injured list Tuesday, posting a four-hit game Friday with his second homer in three games. Seiya Suzuki was activated from the IL and is expected to return to the lineup Saturday, giving them another power bat in the heart of the order.
The Cubs took a one-run lead into the seventh and tacked on four runs in the frame.
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Cubs left fielder Ian Happ robs the Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen of a home run with a catch over the wall during the ninth inning on May 10, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (Matt Freed/AP)
“For us just as an offense as a whole, 14 hits, guys coming through some big, late RBIs to add on runs, like, we can do that, we’re a very good offense,” Happ said. “We have the ability to keep adding on, that’s what good teams do. You get a three-run lead and you keep adding on. Just really good to see it.”
Three errors — two by third baseman Christopher Morel and one by first baseman Michael Busch — contributed to starter Javier Assad’s higher pitch count that forced him out of the game after 89 pitches in 4 1/3 innings. He stayed composed, though, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits. Right-hander Ben Brown, who hadn’t pitched since May 2, gave the offense a chance to push runs across against the Pirates bullpen behind 3 2/3 shutout innings, one walk and six strikeouts to give the rookie his first big-league win.
“It was a wonderful outing by Ben,” manager Craig Counsell said. “He’s was really crisp today and just throwing a ton of strikes, and the breaking ball was going really, really good. We saw some funky swings and they were uncomfortable with it so that was a big outing and it was kind of unique outing.”
The Cubs have had a knack for players stepping up each time they have been dealt an injury blow through the first six weeks. Nick Madrigal is the latest to receive an opportunity for extended playing time after shortstop Dansby Swanson landed on the 10-day IL on Friday with a sprained right knee. The injury forces Nico Hoerner to be the starting shortstop while Swanson is out, creating more regular at-bats for Madrigal at second base.
He came through with two outs in the seventh, slicing a two-strike, 94.5-mph fastball from Pirates reliever Hunter Stratton to the opposite field for a two-run single and 7-2 lead.
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“Hopefully some more semiregular at-bats gets him nights like tonight,” Counsell said. “Runners in scoring position with Nick, you know he’s going to get some balls through eventually.”
Madrigal has tried to stay ready with inconsistent at-bats by taking more swings in the cage. Friday’s series opener was just the fourth time Madrigal was in the starting lineup since April 25.
“I was just trying to battle,” Madrigal said of his two-run single. “I feel like I’ve been just missing balls the last week or so, but I’m just trying to get back to the basics and not do too much and luckily with two strikes I was able to find a hole.
“When I try to do too much is when I overswing or just miss the ball, so just really simplifying it.”
Pittsburgh officials are partnering with a nonprofit to provide a unique way to thank veterans for their service while getting a grand look at the Steel City.
A 90-foot Ferris wheel dubbed the Salute to Service Wheel will be spinning on the North Shore from Wednesday through Sunday.
It’s provided by Piatt Companies and Piatt Sotheby’s International Realty with half of ticket sale proceeds going to Veterans Leadership Program.
First launched in 1982, VLP helps veterans navigate life’s transitions. Efforts include wellness services, housing, career development and various support programs.
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Mayor Corey O’Connor, parks and recreation director Eric Sloan, Piatt Companies CEO Lucas Piatt and representatives from the Veterans Leadership Program are expected to host a grand opening celebration Wednesday around 12:30 p.m. at North Shore Drive and Art Rooney Avenue and take the first rides.
It is part of Pittsburgh’s Independence Day celebration.
Tickets are on sale now and cost $11.20, including a $1.20 service fee. They can be found at pittsburghpa.gov.
Bookings are in hour intervals from 2-9 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday and from 2-8 p.m. Sunday.
Riders smaller than 48 inches tall must be accompanied by an adult.
Several communities in the Pittsburgh area have adjusted their trash pickup times as the region is bracing for a heat wave with temperatures and heat indexes expected to be near 100 degrees this week.
The hottest temperatures of 2026 are expected this week and by Tuesday afternoon, temperatures are anticipated to reach into the 90s. This, coupled with extremely high humidity levels, means the heat index — also known as the “feels like” temperature — will flirt with triple digits.
In Mt. Lebanon, trash and recycling pickup routes will begin earlier than normal to help keep workers safe amid the extreme heat.
“All trash and recycling should be placed at the curb the night before your scheduled collection day, as collection times may occur earlier than usual,” a notice posted on municipality’s Facebook page said.
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Shaler Township said that it received an update from County Hauling that collection crews will begin their routes earlier than normal this week as well.
“Please place all trash and recycling at the curb the night before your scheduled collection day,” the township said.
In Robinson Township, trash collection will begin at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, one hour earlier than normal.
People are being asked to have their trash and recycling at the curb at least one hour prior to their normal pickup time.
Pleasant Hills Borough said it had adjusted its trash pickup schedule for earlier in the day on Friday to “help reduce employee exposure to hazardous temperatures.”
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“This temporary adjustment is being made in the interest of employee health and safety,” the borough said. “We kindly ask that you help notify your residents that all trash and/or recycling should be placed at the curb the night before their scheduled collection day, as collection times may occur earlier than usual.”
In Brentwood Borough, Noble Environmental will begin earlier collection on pickup routes as well.
People are being asked to place their trash and recycling at the curb the night before their scheduled collection day.
The borough added that collection days are not changing, only the start time of the pickup routes.
“Thank you for your cooperation as crews work safely during this week’s heat wave,” the borough said.
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The Library Volunteer Fire Company said that trash pickup in South Park Township is being moved earlier on Thursday.
“We kindly ask Township residents to place trash and recycling at the curb the night before Thursday, July 2nd pickup, as collection times may occur earlier than usual,” the notice said.
