Nova & Pen Sharp, Gregory Breaks It Open As Bucs Roll To A 7-1 Win

Kyle Hendricks ran the count full on J-Hay to open the game, then left an 87 MPH sinker in Josh's wheelhouse and boom, one batter, 1-0 Buccos. Ivan Nova spun a quiet opening frame. J-Bell walked with an out in the second; Gregory grounded into a 4-6-3 DP. The Cubs got a leadoff walk, followed by two whiffs and a soft comebacker. J-Hay singled with two gone in the third and stole second, but AM swung through a high heater to end the prancing. The Cubs got a two-out gift when J-Hay misfired on his toss to first, followed by an 0-2 change lined into center to put Bruins on the corners before Ivan whiffed his way out of the jam. With two away in the fourth, Eli and J-Bell put together a knock and a walk as a heavy fog rolled in at Wrigley. Gregory barreled up a fat fastball but smacked an at 'em liner to left. Chi-town opened with a knock followed by a 6-3 DP and K. Pittsburgh went without a peep in the fifth. The Cubs started a fire with a single and a Jordy boot, but Ivan came up big, getting a 4-6-3 DP and fanning Javy Baez.

Ivan was sharp today (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Lefty Brian Duensing took over the hill in the sixth and gave up a two-bagger to AM. A right-side grounder moved him up before Red Beard walked. Eli slapped ball four into right for a knock, chasing Meadows home. J-Bell worked a walk to juice the sacks. The Cubs waved in righty Luke Farrell to face Gregory and it backfired on Joe Maddon. El Coffee got a two-strike mistake heater down the middle and drilled it into right for a triple. He trotted home when Jordy singled to make it 6-0. The Cubbies banged out an opening double - the sixth has been Ivan's bane - and a wild pitch and grounder ended the shutout bid. After a two-out walk and 94 tosses, Clint waved on Edgar Santana to shut it down. Nice job by Ivan - one run, four hits, two walks, wild pitch and eight K. Both sides went down in order in the seventh. Cory Mazzoni came in for the eighth, and an infield single, two walks and a force tacked on another Pirate point. Kyle Crick tossed a clean frame. The Bucs got a Corey D knock in the ninth before Felipe came in to get some work and sat the Cubs down; his velo is coming back as he sat between 97-99. Oh yeah - RTJR!

J-Hay got the Pirates off and running (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Nice to see Ivan back to his old form; he was spraying the ball a bit at the start, but he had good movement on his off speed stuff, so the rest did him some good for today. Some plate patience and a couple of clutch knocks were welcome for a change. The Pirates needed a little boost; we'll see if this jump starts them with a month until All-Star break.

Notes:

• Josh hit his second game-opening dinger of the year and seventh of his career. His last homer was also a leadoff blast against the Cubs on May 30th. He had two hits, as did Eli Diaz. J-Bell had a hit and three walks; he scored twice. The Bucs drew six free passes; hopefully they'll keep a more disciplined state of mind.
• The Pirates were 0-for-19 w/RISP before Eli's sixth inning rap.
• This was Colin Moran's first MLB start in the cleanup position.
• During GM Neal's Sunday radio chat, he mentioned that Fraze's demotion may end up a paper move if Cervy requires a trip to the DL. Reading between the lines, it sounds as if Ivan Nova wasn't on board with making a rehab start (he was right, too). Also, Huntington likes all his pitchers all the way down to eight deep. The GM noted that Jung-Ho Kang may be ready to come off the restricted list in a week-to-10-days. Finally, he added that they haven't given up on S-Rod and have more concerns over his defensive slump than lack of hitting. Neal covered a lot of acreage today.