The Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs wrapped up a short two game series at PNC Park this afternoon. Chicago took the opener, but Pittsburgh would use a quality start from Zach Thompson and big at bats from the heart of the lineup to take down the Cubs 6-2.
Thompson pitched four innings today and was lifted in the fifth after being hit by a line drive in the back of the arm. During that time he allowed two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and one walk. Wilson Contreras hit a solo homer in the first to give Chicago a one run lead. The other Cubs run would cross the plate in the fourth when Seiya Suzuki hit a RBI single to plate Contreras.
The Pirates took lead in the bottom of the first and did not give it back. Ben Gamel smacked a 360 ft. three run home run over the Clemente Wall. Two innings later Kevin Newman drove in Ke’Bryan Hayes and Gamel with a triple to right. The final run of the game would happen in the fourth with Hayes bringing in Hoy Park on a single to right. All of these runs were charged to Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks. Hendricks lasted 3.2 innings giving up six hits with four strikeouts and four walks.
Pittsburgh would use two pitchers out of the pen to cover the final five innings. Dillon Peters earned the win after throwing two innings, striking out two and walking one. Wil Crowe pitched the final three innings and in the process got his first save of the season. He would allow one hit, to go with four strikeouts and one walk.
It was a great day to pick up that first home win of the season, especially when facing a divisional foe. The offense was paced by Hayes who went 4-4 on the afternoon. He was followed by Gamel going 2-3 with a walk and Daniel Vogelbach collecting two hits in four at bats. The Pirates will continue this home stand starting tomorrow night when they welcome the Washington Nationals to town for a four game series.
Record vs. Cubs: 1-1
Record vs. N.L. Central: 2-3
Record at Home: 1-1
Overall Record: 2-3
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
