An all-around offensive effort and some gritty pitching by Gerrit Cole helped the Pirates keep their Wild Card lead with a 7-3 victory over the Cubs on Friday night.
The Pirates (78-69) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on RBI singles by Chris Stewart and Neil Walker. Both teams then traded runs over the next two innings thanks to two solo home runs against Cole and RBI from Jordy Mercer and Ike Davis.
The Cubs (64-82) major threat came against Cole in the sixth when Chris Coghlan walked to start the inning and advanced on a Luis Valbuena one out single. Wellington Castillo then hit a single up the middle to make it 4-3. After a fielders choice to put runners on the corners, Cole hit Mike Olt to load the bases.
Cole escaped the jam, however, with the lead intact getting Arismendy Alcantara — who hit one of the home runs earlier in the game — to pop out in foul territory.
“I just kept making pitches,” said Cole. “It felt like my last time in Chicago things went quick and I got booted out of the ballgame. Tonight, with a lead, I was just trying to make good pitches. Things got a little funny in the sixth and I just tried to keep my emotions in check the best way I could and focus on every pitch and I finally ended up getting rewarded for it.”
The Pirates offense quickly rewarded Cole’s Houdini act by tacking on two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Stewart led the inning off with a single and moved to second on Josh Harrison’s third hit of the game. Both runners advanced on a Justin Grimm wild pitch. Mercer then hit a single past a drawn-in Cubs infield to plate both runners making it 6-3.
When it was all said and done, seven-of-nine Pirates position players recorded hits in the 14-hit effort.
“It goes to the identity at the plate,” said manager Clint Hurdle. “Each man up there putting in the best at bat he can. Once those spikes get in the box, we’re going to fight, we’re going to battle, scratch, claw. We were able to do it tonight. We scored in five straight innings and they answered in three of them and we were still able to battle and score two more in the sixth and one more late. They’re in a confident place at the plate, right now.”
The Pirates bullpen shut things down over the final three innings as the trio of John Holdzkom, Tony Watson and John Axford allowed only two hits while striking out six.
Final Score: Pirates 7, Cubs 3
With the win, the Pirates drop their playoff magic number to 14.
Josh Harrison’s 3-for-4 night jumped him into the National League batting lead over Justin Morneau.
Starters Lines
Cole (W, 9-5): 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K’s, 1 HBP, 2 HR. 103 Pitches (69 Strikes).
Wada (L, 4-3): 4 1/3 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K’s. 83 Pitches (54 Strikes).
The Pirates will look to extend their win streak to four games tomorrow night.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(LHP) Jeff Locke (PIT): 7-4, 3.60 ERA
(LHP) Felix Doubront (CHC): 1-1, 2.25 ERA
First pitch is set for 7:05.
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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
