The Pirates bounced back after getting swept by the Braves with a series victory over the Chicago Cubs over the weekend. The Pitching did its part during the series by not allowing a single Cubs hit during the first four innings of each game.
Friday – Francisco Liriano shut the Cubs down for a second-straight time as he no-hit Chicago through 4 1/3 innings. He would end up going seven shutout innings while allowing two hits, walking five, and striking out eight.
The Pirate bats continued to struggle against Cubs starter, Travis Wood, but they were able to scratch out what turned out to be the only run they needed in the sixth. Jordy Mercer hit a one-out double and advanced on an Andrew McCutchen sac fly. He would score two batters later on a Russell Martin RBI double. The Bucs would get an insurance run in the ninth by way of a Travis Snider RBI fielders-choice. Mark Melancon would work the eighth and Jason Grilli would shut it down in the ninth for his 23rd save. Final Score: Pirates 2, Cubs 1.
Saturday – A.J. Burnett would copy Liriano by throwing four innings of no-hit ball before allowing a lead-off double to start the 5th. He, although, would go 8 1/3 innings before getting removed after an Alfonso Soriano two-run shot.
That homer didn’t affect the outcome as Burnett finally got some run support to the tune of six Pirate runs, four coming by way of twin two-run shots. Pedro Alvarez hit one in the fourth that landed in the street behind the left field seats and Russell Martin hit his 100th homer of his career in the eighth. Final Score: Pirates 6, Cubs 2.
Sunday – The Pirates took an early 1 – 0 lead in the final game of the series by way of a Garrett Jones fourth-inning RBI single. It seemed it could be the only run needed as Jeff Locke looked dominant, yet again, by allowing no Cubs to hit through 5 2/3. The fifth inning was a problem, though, for Locke as he allowed a run to cross without allowing a hit. He gave up two walks and a sac fly to tie things up at 1. Dioner Navarro would then record the first Cubs hit of the game chasing Locke from the game.
Justin Wilson would come in and get out of the inning before getting into some trouble, himself, in the seventh. He would allow two singles and a sac bunt before giving up a three-run shot to Cody Ransom which ended up being the difference in the game. Final Score: Cubs 4, Pirates 1.
The Pirates finish the six-game road trip 2 – 4 and will now be at home for six against the Giants (3 games) and the Dodgers (3 games) starting Tuesday night. Tuesday will also be the Major League debut of Gerrit Cole, who was the Pirates #1 pick in the 2011 draft.
(Photo Credit: AP photo/Joe Raymond)
