THIS DAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Shawon Dunston homered twice off John Smoltz and Mike Harkey threw a three-hit shutout as the Cubs defeated the Braves 7-0. It happened 35 years ago today, Friday, Aug. 17, 1990.

Jack Suwinski hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the ninth inning to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 3-2 win over the struggling Chicago Cubs.

The Chicago Cubs suffered another embarrassing loss on Friday to the Pittsburgh Pirates as physical and mental problems grow.

When the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs last squared off on July 30, the Cubs earned a win in the finale of a three-game set in Milwaukee to pull within one game of the National League Central leaders.

PITCHING PROBABLES: Pirates: Braxton Ashcraft (3-2, 3.19 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 33 strikeouts); Cubs: Colin Rea (9-5, 4.09 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 85 strikeouts)

The Chicago Cubs have struggled to pull themselves out of this rut. Going 4-6 in their last ten games and 9-11 in the past 20 games, which won’t do against the Milwaukee Brewers, who remain hot.