Buc Bats Remain In Deep Freeze; Cubs Take 4-1 Decision

Today's Game: Despite the rain, the game started at 7 PM, not too terribly late. Wil Crowe gave up a knock and walk with two away, but a called K on a full count got him into the dugout safely. Ben Gamel stayed hot, tripling with an out against Trevor Williams, but the Pirates left him stranded. The Cubs got a homer from David Bote after a leadoff walk in the second. Three of the next four hitters singled, making it 3-0 and bringing in Duane Underwood, who calmed the waters. The Pirates went down peacefully. Three grounders around a rap carried Duane Jr. through the third. Willy picked up his third and fourth punch out in the Bucco half. Chicago hit into a couple of hard hit outs in a 1-2-3 fourth while Pittsburgh's batters went down routinely. The Cubbies worked a two down walk in the fifth for their efforts and the Bucs went down in order once again. Chris Stratton got the call in the sixth, and a one-out two bagger and single by Williams put Cubs on the corners; the Baby Bruin 7-8-9 hitters are 5-for-9 with a homer and double. It bit Stratton when Anthony Rizzo knocked in a run with two gone. Kevin Newman opened with a two-bagger and Erik Gonzalez's rap sent him home. A 3-6-3 DP and K ended the rally.

Chris Stratton's month-long run came to an end - photo Pittsburgh Pirates

Chris returned the favor in the seventh, erasing an opening free pass via a 4-3 DP and then serving up a swinging strikeout. Tommy Nance climbed the slope and left a leadoff walk stranded at first. Chasen Shreve was handed the ball in the eighth. An opening free pass was negated by a strike 'em out, throw 'em out DP and another whiff finished the frame. Dan Winkler gave up a K-Man knock, and with two outs, Andrew Chafin was waved in to face Adam Frazier. He K'ed him. Clay Holmes surrendered a harmless knock in the ninth. Craig Kimbrel came in looking for the save and was welcomed by a Gamel double; he was left aboard again.

Crowe suffered through another three-run inning, and with the Pirates offense in the shape it's in, that was all she wrote.

Notes:

• Ben Gamel had a double & triple; Kevin Newman also had two hits. E-Gon had the only other Bucco rap.
• Chris Stratton gave up his first run of the month; he had tossed scoreless ball in eight outings (10 IP) before a two-out single ended the string.
• Craig Kimbrell has 11 saves; five are against the Pirates.
• Chad Kuhl and Ke'Bryan Hayes are feeling fine after their rehab work so far, with no soreness issues. Key is about week from being eligible to come off the IL while Kuhl, if the FO decides he's ready (a big maybe as of now), lines up for the Sunday start against Colorado. Travis Swaggerty's injury is a dislocated shoulder; the medicos & Swags are still debating rest v surgery to treat it. 

Tomorrow's Game:  The matchup has Tyler Anderson closing out the set against Kyle Hendricks. The getaway game is scheduled for 12:35 and will be carried by AT&T SportsNet, MLB Network (out of market) and KDKA 101 FM/1020 AM.