The Cubs capitalized on Jeff Locke’s third inning control problems and the Pirates offense was stagnant against Felix Doubront as Chicago evened up the three-game series with a 6-4 victory over the Bucs on Saturday night.
Locke was messy with his location in the third inning allowing the Cubs (65-83) to take the lead. Arismendy Alcantara led the inning off with a single. Javier Baez followed hitting a changeup into the left field bleachers to make it 2-0. Luis Valbuena then doubled and later scored when Chris Valaika grounded into a double play.
It was the only damage done against Locke, but it was enough for the Cubs to take control.
“I just feel behind some guys,” said Locke. “They put the balls where the defenders weren’t. The home run to Baez took some wind out of the sail.”
The Cubs added insurance in the seventh off of Brandon Cumpton and Jeanmar Gomez on a Valbuena sac fly and a Mike Olt RBI double and Matt Szczur hit his first career Major League home run off of Justin Wilson in the eighth.
The Pirates (78-70) put the leadoff man on in five of the first seven innings and were unable to convert any opportunity as they never put more than one runner on at any time against Cubs starter Felix Doubront.
“It was a very well pitched game by their starter,” said manager Clint Hurdle. “He was running the cutter into the right-handers, keeping a real good spot then the two-seamer down and away and elevating some fastballs when he wanted to.”
They would, however, finally capitalize in the eighth against the Chicago bullpen. With the bases loaded and one out, Russell Martin sent a towering fly ball down the left field line that curved foul at the last second. Three pitches later, Martin sent a sharp grounder down the left field line to clear the bases and cut the Cubs lead in half to 6-3.
Travis Snider hit a solo home run to start the ninth, but Cubs closer Hector Rondon retired the next three batters to end it.
“We just didn’t do things well enough to win,” said Hurdle.
Final Score: Cubs 6, Pirates 4.
The Pirates were still able to drop their playoff magic number to 13 as the Brewers fell to the Reds 5-1. The Cardinals also won pushing their National League Central division to 3 1/2 games.
Starters Lines
Locke (L, 7-5): 5 1/3 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K’s, 1 HR. 106 Pitches (62 Strikes).
Doubront (W, 1-2): 6 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 1 K. 84 Pitches (52 Strikes).
The Pirates will look to take the three-game series in tomorrow afternoon’s rubber match.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(RHP) Edinson Volquez (PIT): 11-7, 3.36 ERA
(RHP) Jacob Turner (CHC): 5-9, 5.84 ERA
First pitch is set for 1:35.
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(Photo Credit: Justin K. Aller / Getty Images)
