A day after smoking 7 home runs at Wrigley Field, the Cubs struggled to put together timely hits.

As our 2020 simulation of the Cubs season continued on MLB the Show, the virtual offense struggled to get anything going. They collected just 3 hits as they fell to the Pirates 3-1 and dropping their record to 3-2 on the season.

Pirates starter Mitch Keller kept the Cubs hitters at bay, taking a no-hit bid into the 5th, before Ian Happ’s leadoff triple broke it up.

Kris Bryant drove in Happ with a sacrifice fly to tie the game, but it also highlighted Bryant’s virtual struggles. The Cubs leadoff hitter went hitless in 4 plate appearances and is now batting just .143 on the year.

The Cubs had the chance to break the 1-1 tie that inning, getting runners on first and second, but Javy Báez struck out to kill the rally.

The Pirates made the Cubs pay for not taking advantage.

Starter Tyler Chatwood left the game with a runner on first and one out in the 6th, making way for offseason acquisition Jharel Cotton from the bullpen. Cotton recorded an out and worked a full count on Gregory Polanco, but the Pirates outfielder launched a 2-run home run into the left field bleachers to give the Pirates a lead they did not relinquish.

It spoiled an otherwise strong season debut for Chatwood, who pitched 5.1 innings, striking out 5 while surrendering just 2 runs on 6 hits.

Josh Bell got the offense rolling for Pittsburgh in the 4th with a solo home run off Chatwood.

The Cubs had another chance to rally in the bottom of the 8th, getting a pair of runners on base, but Willson Contreras struck out to end the threat. Contreras has struggled early in the season, hitting just .167 through the first five games of the virtual season.

Here’s how the two teams lined up:

Cubs

Kris Bryant – 3B
Anthony Rizzo – 1B
Javy Báez – SS
Kyle Schwarber – LF
Willson Contreras – C
Jason Heyward – RF
Ian Happ – CF
Jason Kipnis – 2B
Tyler Chatwood – P

Pirates

Kevin Newman – 2B
Adam Frazier – LF
Bryan Reynods – CF
Josh Bell – 1B
Colin Moran – 3B
Erik González – SS
Jacob Stallings – C
Mitch Keller – P

Watch the full game here:

The Cubs will look to claim the rubber match against the Pirates Wednesday afternoon at 1 p.m. on @WatchMarquee on Facebook.