Bucs Roll Again 4-2 Over Cubbies Behind Dario & Gonzalez

Dario was off to a good start - eight pitches and a 1-2-3 first against the Cubs. It took Jon Lester a couple of pitches more to get his three ground outs. It also got Bryan Reynolds out of the game; he left hobbling. In the second, a Willson Contreras triple was cashed in by Ian Happ as the Cubs took the early lead. With an out, Pablo doubled and Erik Gonzalez singled, with Reyes getting thrown out at home. The Bucs put up another zero. It was a quiet third for Chi-town; the Bucs got a Dario single for their troubles. Happ singled in the fourth, but he was gunned out at second by Jake Elmore for all the Cubbie ado. As we all predicted, the Bucs took the lead around Gonzalez's bat - he doubled in Joey O with two outs and scored on Jake Elmore's rap. Steve Baron singled Jake to third, but the fun was done. Dario bopped a batter with one gone the fifth, then gave up a two-out knock to Lester, but Agrazal escaped. The Pirates made not a peep.

Dario making his pitch for next year, finishing 4-5/4.91
photo Garrett Mansfield/Altoona Curve

Chicago managed a two-out knock in the sixth. Gonzalez legged out a two-away dribbler for the Buccos. Happ tied it in the seventh with a leadoff solo shot, and that brought on Frankie, who cleaned up the rest of the frame despite a Gonzalez boot. Brandon Kintzler took over, and was tagged for a two-gone three-bagger by K-Man. Brad Wieck got the call to face Melky, who bounced out. Michael Feliz was next up in the eighth. He walked two guys around a sharp grab by Pablo in center but posted a zippo. Joey O worked a one-out walk and Pablo drew another. David Phelps toed the slab and uncorked consecutive wild pitches to score Osuna and send Reyes to third, where a Gonzalez sac fly chased him home as an insurance run. Jake was issued the third walk of the frame before Phelps put the lid on it. Keona Kela gave up an opening walk, then served a 3-6-3 DP ball and another grounder to earn his first Pirates save. Raise the Roger.

Gotta wonder how much heat is on Joe Maddon, Jed Hoyer and Theo Epstein. The Bucs have fielded a AAAA club for most of the month; no excuse for the Cubbies.

Notes:

• Erik Gonzalez had three hits, the only Bucco with more than one rap tonight. Pablo and Jake Elmore both had a knock and a walk.
• Bryan Reynolds has "right hamstring discomfort."
• Tonight's paid attendance was 10,592.
• Per Stephen Nesbitt of The Athletic: Clint Hurdle has been informed he’ll be back (behind a paywall) as the skipper next season. Though less certain, it appears Neal and Frank will also return, although several heads are expected to roll on Monday. All NH would say to the press gang on the topic was "As we have in the past, we will publicly address any personnel decisions at the end of the season."
• The Pirates have set up a voicemail box so you can share your favorite memory of Steve Blass or send him a retirement message at (412) 325-4660.
• The Brewers eliminated the Cubs from the postseason tonight a few minutes before the Pirates could. The five NL playoff teams are now set: the Dodgers, Braves, Cards, Nats and Brew Crew.