The Pittsburgh Pirates experienced a heartbreaking loss on Wednesday after their bullpen suffered a massive collapse, allowing the Chicago Cubs to rally and secure a 14-10 victory at PNC Park. The loss dealt a significant blow to Pirates manager Derek Shelton, who expressed frustration over his team's inability to execute in crucial moments.

Entering the seventh inning with a comfortable 10-3 lead, the Pirates seemed poised to avoid a sweep. However, their struggling bullpen quickly unraveled, surrendering a staggering 11 runs in the final three frames. This marked the team's biggest implosion yet in a series of bullpen struggles throughout August.

Catcher Christian Bethancourt played a key role in the Cubs' comeback effort, driving in seven of their 14 runs. He launched a two-run homer off Kyle Nicolas in the seventh inning and later doubled home two more runs off Aroldis Chapman in the eighth. Bethancourt's performance powered the Cubs' late surge and ultimately sealed their victory.

In a pivotal moment of the ninth inning, with the Pirates clinging to a 10-9 lead, they made the decision to intentionally walk Pete Crow-Armstrong, who had a stellar 4-for-4 game. This set up a faceoff between closer David Bednar and Bethancourt. Unfortunately for the Pirates, Bednar couldn't secure the save as Bethancourt delivered a crucial single that scored the tying and go-ahead runs.

Shelton faced scrutiny over his decision to pitch against Bethancourt in that critical moment. Defending the move, he pointed out Crow-Armstrong's ability to handle high pitches, favoring a right-on-right matchup against the Cubs catcher.

Chicago's rally didn't stop after Bednar's exit, as they tacked on three more runs to seal their dramatic come-from-behind victory. Bednar's struggles on the mound dropped his season record to 3-7, as he allowed five earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning.

Despite a strong offensive showing with 10 runs and 16 hits, the Pirates were unable to secure a much-needed win. Bryan Reynolds, Rowdy Tellez, and Connor Joe each contributed three hits, while Oneil Cruz and Jared Triolo added a pair. Reynolds had an outstanding performance, going 3 for 5 with a walk, a solo home run, three RBIs, and three runs scored. However, the Pirates' efforts were overshadowed by their bullpen collapse.

The loss also marked the first game for Cruz in center field, a position he recently transitioned to. While he showcased his arm strength with an impressive throw to home plate, his high-velocity delivery sailed past the catcher, allowing a run to score and a runner to advance.

Following the devastating defeat, Shelton emphasized the importance of executing in crucial moments and expressed his team's need to regain their composure and competitiveness. The Pirates will look to bounce back as they face the Guardians in a two-game series starting on Friday at Progressive Field.