Cubs Run Away With Series By 7-1 Tally

Well, JT joined Buc starters with the first inning blahs; two of the first three Cubbies doubled and it was 1-0 before the Bucs hit the dugout. They weren't there long as John Lackey worked a 1-2-3 frame. Chicago got a single in the second of no consequence; the runner was tossed out trying to stretch it by Amore on an overthrow. The first two Pirates reached on a single and boot; the next three went without a peep. In the third, Chi-town loaded the bases on two singles and a walk with nobody out. A Wilson Contreras double then plated a pair, tho JT recovered enough to strand the back pair. The Bucs got a couple of walks and left them stranded. A double, bunt and soft single in the fourth made it 4-0 Chicago. Pittsburgh got a walk, whiff and GIDP in their half. It was a quick frame in the fifth for the Cubs; the Bucs got on the board when Jordy went deep, pulling a hung curve just inside the pole.

Edgar was a bright spot with two K in a clean inning of work (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

JT's day was done; Wade LeBlanc tossed a calm sixth; the Pirates also went down in order. Jay singled and Anthony Rizzo homered to open the seventh, and Jhan Marinez had to come in to close it down, giving up a another hit in the process. Carl Edwards Jr took the bump for Chicago and 1-2-3'ed the Pirates thanks to a DP. Edgar Santana and Hector Rondon exchanged clean eighths. Tony Watson worked the ninth and gave up a homer and single as his woes continue. Brian Duensing got three rollers to cruise out.

It was an old-time take-'em-behind-the-shed spanking delivered by the Cubbies. The Pirates had three hits, the same number of knocks Anthony Rizzo, Wilson Contreras and Jon Jay had individually. If you have a day when you can't pitch or can't hit, might as well get it out of your system.

Notes: 

• Home sweet home didn't do much for the Bucs; they finished their longest home stand of the year at 5-5.
• For all the debate over too much usage, the Bucco bullpen is ninth in MLB (sixth in NL) in innings with 239-2/3 and 21st in appearances (13th NL) with 204 outings coming into the game. Of course, burning five guys in a game like today's a few times could spike those numbers in a hurry.
• The Pirates begin a four-game series against the Brewers tomorrow at Miller Park. The Bucs won their last two series there last season (they and the Brew Crew exchanged sweeps in the first two sets) and finished 6-4 in Brew Town.
• Pittsburgh fans must like it hot and muggy; 34 539 turned out today.