8/27/23- By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on Twitter
The Chicago Cubs have had Pirates’ number this year, besting them 9 of 10 times this season prior to the game today.
Cubs plated a run in the first inning as Nico Hoerner led off with a double to left center and scored on a Cody Bellinger single to right. Pirates got the equalizer in bottom of the inning as Ji-hwan Bae led off with a double to right center, advanced to third on a Bryan Reynolds ground-out to first and scored on a Ke’Bryan Hayes ground-out to second.
Chicago got back ahead in the fourth inning as Jeimar Candelario got a full-count, 2-out slider and managed to just keep it fair down the left field line for a 2-run home run and a 3-1 lead for the Cubs. And added another pair in the 5th as Bellinger shot a 2-out double to right center, scoring Hoerner and Dansby Swanson and driving starter Bailey Falter out of the game.
Cody Bolton came on in relief and allowed a Seiya Suzuki double to drive in Bellinger to close the book on the southpaw starter. Falter’s final line: 4.2 innings pitched, 7 hits, 6 runs, 1 walk and 3 strikeouts. He threw 88 pitches (62 strikes) but struggled to finish innings as all six runs scored with 2 outs. Bolton threw 2.1 innings of shutout ball with just the one hit, a walk and 4 strikeouts.
Javier Assad, the starter for the Cubs, settled down nicely after allowing a run in the first inning, lasting 7 innings, 3 hits, 2 walks and 7 strikeouts. Four of the 7 strikeouts came on called strikes.
Jose Hernandez took over in the 8th inning, allowing a leadoff double to Seiya Suzuki, who advanced to third on a fly out to center and scored on a dribbler back to the pitcher by Candelario, just beating out the throw home.
Cubs added a few more in the 9th inning as Bellinger doubled down the left field line, bringing home Hoerner and Ian Happ, later scoring on an RBI ground-out by Yan Gomes, securing the 10-1 victory for Chicago.
News & Notes
- Cody Bolton was recalled prior to the game today, making his sixth stint with Pittsburgh.
- With the loss today, the Pirates secured a fourth straight losing month this season.
- Ian Happ has reached base in 56 consecutive games against the Pittsburgh Pirates
- Pirates leave town for the Show-Me State as they face the Kansas City Royals for a 3 game series. Scheduled to start for game one are Johan Oviedo for Pittsburgh and Zack Grienke for the Royals. First pitch will be at 8:10PM. Let’s Go Bucs!
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