CINCINNATI — Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Chicago Cubs skipper David Ross’ comment that the Pirates are “not a good team” was “unfortunate.”

Ross made his comment after the Pirates’ 8-6 win against the Cubs on Thursday at Wrigley Field, their second straight victory over Chicago.

“That’s not a good team that just took two out of three from us — or not our caliber team, I believe,” Ross told reporters.

Shelton laughed when a reporter wondered before the Pirates’ road game against the Reds on Friday if he had seen the comment.

“I saw them,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that he chose to make them about our team instead of his team. Over the last 60 games, we’ve played really well. I would rather focus on our club and the fact we’re playing good baseball right now.

“I know they won the season series against us, but I’m happy we finished strong against them. I’m more focused on the fact we battled back against them after losing the first game to win the last two at their ballpark.”

The Pirates are 73-81 and fourth in the NL Central. They are 12-8 in September and 32-29 over their last 61 games.

The Cubs are 80-74 and clinging to the third and final wild-card spot after their 6-0 victory against the Colorado Rockies on Friday at Wrigley Field.