McCutchen on brawl: 'We don't go down without a fight'

The Pittsburgh Pirates' season is now over following a frustrating 4-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs in the National League wild-card game, but Andrew McCutchen is proud of his teammates for standing up for themselves.

Cubs starter Jake Arrieta, who hurled a complete-game shutout in the victory, hit Francisco Cervelli and Josh Harrison with pitches in the middle portion of the game, which prompted Pirates reliever Tony Watson to retaliate in the seventh.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

"Literally, we don't go down without a fight," McCutchen exclaimed postgame.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle also expressed his frustration with the pair of plunkings.

"(Arrieta) is dotting everything up ... and (Francisco) Cervelli gets pitched hot up top, so I don't think anybody was a fan of that," Hurdle said when asked about the incident.

Pirates infielder Sean Rodriguez was front and center in the mayhem, and even threw a punch at Cubs catcher David Ross.

"It really shocked me, but I understand it," Ross said. "I didn't mean to put my hand around his throat."

Arrieta was unapologetic for pitching inside, and says he wasn't surprised he got thrown at late in the game.

"I hit two guys, unintentionally. I'm not trying to hurt anybody," Arrieta said postgame. "Balls were slick tonight. I just lost it a couple of times, it kind or ran away from me.

"I expected that. They're going to take care of their own guys. It's understandable. Everything after that was fine."

The Cubs were leading 4-0 at the time of the incident, and will now play the St. Louis Cardinals in the divisional round of the playoffs.