CHICAGO — Pirates rookie reliever Justin Wilson was due to take a loss eventually, but against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday was an odd time to do it.
Over his first 22 outings, Wilson ran off five consecutive victories and led all National League relievers with 35 innings pitched.
He took over in a tie game Sunday after starter Jeff Locke allowed just one hit in 52⁄3 innings. At that point, it already had been a wild ride.
The Cubs scored a run before they got their first hit. Locke struck out five of the first six batters he faced, but finished with more walks — a career-high seven — than strikeouts (six). And the Pirates’ offense had been stymied by right-hander Edwin Jackson, who’d won just twice in his past 16 starts dating to last season.
Wilson got out of a jam in the sixth but served up Cody Ransom’s three-run homer in the seventh inning. The Cubs pulled out a 4-1 victory to avoid a three-game sweep at Wrigley Field.
The Pirates took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning against Jackson (2-8). Andrew McCutchen banged a leadoff double off the left field ivy. Garrett Jones lined a single up the middle — extending his Wrigley Field hitting streak to 11 games — to score McCutchen.
The rally fizzled. Russell Martin struck out, and Pedro Alvarez grounded into a double play.
It was the only threat against Jackson, who lugged a personal three-game losing skid and a 6.29 ERA into the game.
The Cubs tied it in the sixth without getting a hit. Ransom led off with a walk. Anthony Rizzo hit a bouncer to the right side that was fielded by second baseman Neil Walker, who ran to the first-base bag to retire Rizzo.
The Pirates were in a defensive shift, so Alvarez was closer to second base than third when the ball was struck. After getting the out, Walker ran another couple of steps before turning to face the infield. No one covered third, and Ransom got to third without drawing a throw.
Ransom scored on Scott Hairston’s sacrifice fly, tying the game, 1-1.
Dioner Navarro followed with a line-drive single over Barmes’ head — the Cubs’ first hit. It was Locke’s 100th pitch of the game, and also his last. Wilson struck out Starlin Castro to end the inning.
