Bucs Blistered In Finale 11-3 As Cubs Salvage Last Game

Jordan Lyles struck out the side, but had a couple of glitches after the first pair, primarily an Anthony Rizzo solo shot on a first-pitch four-seamer. He gave up a walk and double after that, with the hit being a bloop that Melky couldn't catch up to, but capped the damage at a run. K-Man opened with a single off Jose Quintana, and a boot put Bucs on first and second. Starling lined out, then J-Bell banged into a 6-4-3 DP to extinguish the inning. Albert Almora homered in the second; Jordan had another fastball shipped long-distance to make it 2-0. Joey O walked with an out and Jung Ho doubled him home. A wild pitch moved him up 90' and Eli did his job, plating him on a sac fly to knot the score. Jordan isn't feeling it today - he was ripped for a Kris Bryant double, then with two outs in the third, a Wilson Contreras homer (this one off a slider) and Robel Garcias triple before getting out of it down 4-2. K-Man started it up with a knock and scooted to third an out later after Starling's quail to center. J-Bell's fly brought him home to pare the lead to one; Melky singled afterward but the Bucs couldn't keep it going.

Uncle Ray has his work cut out - image AT&T SportsNet

With two outs in the fourth, Kyle Schwarber doubled, but Jordan fanned Baez - he has seven K already. And he got Joe Maddon tossed; Lyles worked inside on Baez and Joe went off his rocker, not the best move when Joe West is umpiring, and the heave-ho was issued. Kinda odd argument, seeing how Javy didn't seem the least bit upset about the pitch; Mad Joe looked like he was after a chirpy Clint. Anyhoo, Eli doubled with an out, but he was left aboard. A double opened the Cub fifth, lotta leash for Jordan so far. It was pulled in after two singles as Clay Holmes got the ball; Clint was an inning late today. Holmes gave up a knock and then plunked the next hitter, forcing in a run. Warnings were issued, tho we suspect a bases-loaded beaning was prob unintentional. He got two outs, then walked in another run and a following single brought in two more to make it 9-3.

No need to game story the last four frames. The Cubs tacked on a couple of more against Holmes while Q kept the air out of the Bucco sails for seven frames. Chris Stratton did a nice job over the final three frames with five K; the Cubs bullpen kept the Pirates quiet for the final two frames, tho the "never say die" kids looked a lot like the fork was stuck in them after the fourth inning, and that's OK. The goal was to take series, and 3-of-4 from the Cubbies is a good start; now to take 2-of-3 from the Brew Crew before the break, and hopefully give Uncle Ray time to put Jordan, Archie and Willy back together again.

Notes:

• The Pirates had six hits; Kevin Newman with a pair of raps was the only Bucco to reach twice.
• With 13 whiffs today, the Bucs fanned 44 Cubs in the four-game set.
• The attendance was announced at 29,238 today. 
• Joe Maddon claimed that he wasn't mad at Clint, but issued a veiled warning if the Buc pitchers continue to work up and in, and said he "can't wait" til the Bucs get to Chicago per AP's Will Graves. 
• The Cubs smacked four dingers today; 26-year-old Robel Garcia, just called up from AAA, hit his first MLB bomb.