Reynolds: Pirates can use Cubs manager Ross' comments as 'motivation'

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds had some choice words in response to Chicago Cubs manager David Ross' disparaging comments about his team.

"We can use it as motivation," Reynolds said, according to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "If we're such a bad team, maybe he should have managed his team a little better and beat us."

He added: "I think it's pretty lame of Ross. I think it says a lot about him."

The Pirates dealt the Cubs' playoff hopes a big blow by taking a series at Wrigley Field. After losing the first game 14-1, the Pirates rebounded to win two straight by a combined score of 21-13.

Following Thursday's 8-6 loss, Ross called out his team's effort while also taking a swipe at the Pirates.

"That's not a good team that just took two out of three from us," Ross said, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers. "Or not our caliber of team, I believe. We have to turn it around. It's on me. It's on the guys in the room."

The win improved the Pirates to 72-81 on the season, which is their most wins in a season since 2018.