After a horribly embarrassing 21-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Pirates returned to action today still with the opportunity of winning this series. Unlike yesterday, the Bucs scored some runs, took the lead and held on late, as they beat the Cubs 4-3.
JT Brubaker started for Pittsburgh, lasting only 3 innings while giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts. This was a bullpen type game, as the two teams used a total of 12 pitchers on the day. Dillon Peters earned the victory (3-0) while David Bednar tallied the save (2).
The Cubs scored a pair of runs in the first inning to take the early lead. A fielding error by Ke’Bryan Hayes allowed the game’s first run to score, and a single by Frank Schwindel put the Cubbies in front, 2-0.
The Pirates cut the lead in half in the top of the second on a RBI single by Ben Gamel. They took the lead from Chicago in the top of the third. A sacrifice fly by Yoshi Tsutsugo tied the game, and Kevin Newman’s double scored the go-ahead run to make it 3-2. In the fourth, Hayes reached on a throwing error, allowing Diego Castillo to score what would end up being the game’s winning run.
Chicago had a great opportunity to tie or even take the lead in the seventh, putting runners at the corners with one out. But Wil Crowe worked his way out of a tough situation, ending the threat.
A solo homerun by Ian Happ in the eighth inning made things interesting, but the Cubs went down in the ninth to secure the victory for Pittsburgh.
This was a nice response to yesterday’s embarrassing defeat. At the end of the day, the Bucs leave Chicago today having taken three of four games from a divisional opponent this weekend. After a day off on Monday, the Pirates will return to N.L. Central division action on Tuesday as they kick off a series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Record vs. Cubs: 4-2
Record vs. N.L. Central: 5-7
Record on the Road: 4-6
Overall Record: 8-8
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
