Pittsburgh– Andrew McCutchen continued his sizzling June leading the Pirates to a 4-2 victory over the Cubs on a rainy Wednesday night at PNC Park.
McCutchen, who has a slash line of .389/.972/1.422 in nine games this month, added to those power numbers with a 2-2 night with a double, two walks, a home run, a stolen base and two RBI.
The Pirates center fielder started the scoring in the first with a two run home run to the left field bleachers. Cubs left fielder Chris Coghlan climbed the wall, reminiscent of Brian Giles, and had the ball in his glove, but it bounced out — with the help of a Pirates fan — and into the seats.
“I definitely would have gone out there and high-fived him if he caught that,” said McCutchen on the effort. “It reminds me of Brian Giles and the catch he made a long time ago. If he would have caught that I wouldn’t have been mad. I would have been impressed.”
Starling Marte continued his climb offensively going 2-for-4 with two singles and an RBI, but he did still strikeout twice and get thrown out at third on a foul popup to the catcher. It was a set play with Jordy Mercer, who was on first base, but Marte failed to execute.
“We ran it in Milwaukee earlier in the year,” said manager Clint Hurdle. “You draw the throw. We drew a throw from about 150 ft with air underneath it and as soon as that ball is out of the catchers hand, we need to break from third base.”
Instead of breaking for the plate immediately, Marte hesitated which drew a throw to third resulting in the out.
Brandon Cumpton didn’t have his best start, but got out of some tough situations allowing the Pirates (31-34) to remain ahead despite three baserunning errors and a Pedro Alvarez overthrow to first that landed six rows deep.
The Cubs (26-37) had runners in scoring position in three of the five innings Cumpton participated in, but were only able to get two runs — both in the second inning — as the righty put his foot down when needed stranding another runner in the second and three in the fifth when he struck out Nate Schierholtz with the bases loaded.
“I’m kind of happy I actually got to go through that,” said Cumpton. “That’s something I need to work on right there, especially in the fifth and sixth inning. Getting into trouble and getting out of trouble, so that’s a huge confidence builder.”
The bullpen then shut things down by going four innings of no-hit ball to close things out.
Final Score: Pirates 4, Cubs 2.
Other Notes
— Gregory Polanco only needed seven at bats to record his first Major League RBI as the rookie grounded out to first with the bases loaded in the second to bring in a run.
— Josh Harrison left the game in the third inning after rolling his ankle in the bottom of the first retreating back to first on a Polanco fly out. He said he will see how it feels tomorrow after treatment to determine if he’s able to play or not.
Starters Lines
Cumpton (W, 2-2): 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K’s, 1 HBP. 91 Pitches (60 Strikes).
Hammel (L, 6-4): 5 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 IBB, 6 K’s, 1 HBP, 1 HR. 93 Pitches (56 Strikes).
The Pirates will look for the series victory in the final game of the four-game series tomorrow evening.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(RHP) Edinson Volquez (PIT): 3-5, 4.27 ERA
(RHP) Jeff Samardzija (CHC): 2-5, 2.54 ERA
First pitch is set for 7:05.
(Photo Credit: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
