Pirates secure a 4-3 victory over the Cubs, thanks to McCutchen's game-winning two-run double, while a spectator falls from the 21-foot Clemente Wall.
In an unexpected turn of events at PNC Park during the Pittsburgh Pirates' game against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, a fan fell from the Clemente Wall in the right field, moments after Andrew McCutchen hit a go-ahead two-run double, securing a 4-3 victory for the Pirates.
The drama unfolded in the seventh inning. With the score 3-2 in favor of the Cubs, Isiah Kiner-Falefa reached base due to a fielding error by third baseman Jon Berti, and advanced to second on Bryan Reynolds' single. McCutchen then hit a grounder up the middle that deflected off the leg of shortstop Dansby Swanson, allowing the ball to roll into right-center field.
While players were celebrating, a fan from the first row of seats suddenly lost balance and tumbled over the railing onto the field. The incident caused a flurry of concern as players immediately waved for medical attention. The injured fan was quickly removed from the field on a cart, and a palpable silence descended upon the crowd of over 11,000 spectators.
The Cubs had scored three runs in the fifth inning to take the lead, with Ian Happ driving in a run with a single, Kyle Tucker adding another with a groundout, and the third run scoring on a wild pitch by Ryan Borucki. The Pirates, who had snapped a three-game losing streak with this win, had initially built a 2-0 lead. Oneil Cruz doubled and scored on Ke'Bryan Hayes' single in the first inning, and Joey Bart doubled and scored on Jared Triolo's sacrifice fly in the fourth.
Swanson had a solid outing for the NL Central-leading Cubs, who suffered their third loss in four games. Caleb Ferguson (1-0) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, earning the win, while Caleb Thielbar (1-1) took the loss. David Bednar registered his third save.
Matthew Boyd started for the Cubs and allowed two runs in five innings, and his Pirates counterpart, Carmen Mlodzinski, gave up two runs in four-plus innings.
This incident marked a sobering turn in an otherwise thrilling game. Further details regarding the fan's condition and the possible connection with the consumption of alcohol inside the stadium are still emerging. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
The three-game series continues on Thursday with Cubs RHP Colin Rea (1-0, 0.96 ERA) facing RHP Paul Skenes (3-2, 2.39) at PNC Park.
[1] https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2023/04/20/Fan-falls-off-clemente-wall-PNC-Pirates-Cubs-game-ejected/stories/202304200194[2] https://www.triblive.com/sports/pittsburgh-pirates/fan-recuperating-after-falling-from-clemente-wall-at-pirates-game-reportedly-facing-charges/[3] https://www.mlb.com/news/fan-falls-off-niagara-of-the-clemente-wall-at-pnc-park[4] https://www.wtae.com/sports/pirates/p ghost-knife-fight-breaks-out-at-pnc-park-during-pittsburgh-pirates-game/PGHSFMB3LE58BTKAKXPGN3VKLA[5] https://kdka.com/sports/pirates-fight-person-sliced-with-knife-at-pnc-park/article_7fac8e7e-fa8d-11ec-9a30-d6ab8d7b08ba.html
- Amidst the excitement of the MLB game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs, a fan's fall from the Clemente Wall in the right field brought a sobering twist to the sporting spectacle, causing concern and eventual removal of the fan from the field on a cart.
- Despite the incident, the MLB game continued, with the Pirates winning the game thanks to Andrew McCutchen's go-ahead two-run double in the seventh inning, the team securing a 4-3 victory and ending their three-game losing streak.
