Brandon Lowe helps the Pirates top the Cubs 4-3 in series finale

CHICAGO (AP) — Brandon Lowe hit a tiebreaking two-run single in Pittsburgh's three-run sixth inning, and the Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Sunday to avoid a sweep of their weekend series.

Bryan Reynolds had two hits for Pittsburgh, including an RBI single in the first. Carmen Mlodzinski, Luke Weaver and Mason Montgomery combined for 3 2/3 hitless innings in relief of Bubba Chandler (8-9).

The Pirates (75-75) closed out a 4-2 stay in Chicago. They swept the White Sox before dropping two of three against the Cubs.

Miguel Amaya homered for Chicago, and Michael Busch had two hits. Matthew Boyd (8-5) allowed four runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings in his second straight loss.

The Cubs (83-67) dropped into a tie with Philadelphia for the top spot in the NL wild-card standings.

Montgomery worked a perfect ninth for his 13th save in 15 chances. The Pirates had a 3-2 lead on Saturday before a wild Gregory Soto surrendered two runs in the eighth inning of a 4-3 loss.

Chicago jumped in front in the series finale on Amaya's sixth homer, a two-run drive to left with two out in the fifth. It was his first homer since Aug. 16.

Pittsburgh responded with three runs in the sixth. Reynolds reached on a leadoff walk and scored on Nick Gonzales’ ground-rule double. With one out and the bases loaded, Lowe made it 4-2 when he drove in Rafael Flores Jr. and Gonzales with a pinch-hit liner to center off Aaron Civale.

Chicago closed to 4-3 on Nico Hoerner's grounder to second in the bottom half. But the Cubs left the bases loaded when Pedro Ramírez flied to right against Mlodzinski, ending the inning.

Pirates: Following an off day, the Pirates host the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night in the opener of a nine-game homestand.

Cubs: LHP David Peterson (7-8, 5.28 ERA) starts on Monday night against Atlanta. RHP Reynaldo López (4-4, 4.13) takes the mound for the visiting Braves.

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Pittsburgh Pirates' Bryan Reynolds scores on an RBI double hit by Nick Gonzales during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Bubba Chandler exits during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Chicago Cubs' Michael Busch runs to score on a Nico Hoerner groundout to first base during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Brandon Lowe hits a two-RBI single during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Brandon Lowe, right, watches his two-RBI single hit during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco's Rafael Devers' season is over and he may have surgery for a core muscle injury.

The Giants placed the first baseman/designated hitter and designated hitter on the 60-day injured list Sunday, ending his season.

Devers, who leads the team with 37 homers and 98 RBIs, is to meet Monday in Philadelphia with Dr. William Meyers. If a procedure is recommended, Devers would have the operation on Tuesday.

San Francisco said Devers played with the injury for much of this season.

Devers homered in his last two games and had eight home runs with 20 RBIs in his final 11 games.

In the third season of a $313.5 million, 10-year contract, Devers was acquired from Boston in June 2025. He was batting .207 with two homers through April but has raised his average to .258.

Devers has a .274 average and 272 home runs in 10 major league seasons.

San Francisco selected the contract of outfielder Scott Bandura from Triple-A Sacramento.

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San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers gestures after hitting a grand slam during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers (16), is congratulated by Bryce Eldridge, right, after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres in San Francisco, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers (16) watches his two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres in San Francisco, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)