Christopher Morel hits RBI single in the 9th to give Cubs a 1

CHICAGO (AP) — Christopher Morel singled in Cody Bellinger with one out in the ninth to give the Chicago Cubs a 1-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday.

Bellinger got the winning rally started with a ground-rule double down the left-field line with one out off David Bednar. Morel then cracked a 3-2 pitch up the middle, and Bellinger narrowly beat Michael A. Taylor’s throw to the plate on a play that withstood a video review.

“I knew it was close,” said Bellinger, who slid in and just avoided Joey Bart’s tag. “I was glad, extremely happy when they said it was confirmed.”

Hector Neris (4-0) tossed a perfect ninth, striking out two, for the win.

“Our pitching staff today was the only reason why we had any chance of getting a win,” said Bellinger, who finished with two hits. “They all did a tremendous job to keep us in the game.”