J.A. Happ battled for 5.2 innings but did not receive any run support as the Pittsburgh Pirates fell to the Chicago Cubs in the second game of Tuesday’s doubleheader by a 2-1 score.
Happ’s [5-2] biggest battle came in the fifth inning. David Ross led off with a double, one of his two hits in the game and Jon Lester hit a sacrifice fielder’s choice. The throw to Ramirez at third was late as he did not get the tag down in time, something which was confirmed by video review. Dexter Fowler brought Ross home with an RBI.
With two runners in scoring position, Happ struck out Austin Jackson and Kris Bryant. He then intentionally walked Anthony Rizzo to get to Starlin Castro. This decision paid off as Castro popped out to Sean Rodriguez in right field.
“We haven’t seen a lot of it because he’s been very efficient his last six outings,”manager Clint Hurdle said. “He had some situations where he had to make some pitches and slow the game down. He did pitch out of a couple jams and pitched a really good ballgame.”
The Cubs scored their other run when Rizzo singled home Jackson who hit a one-out double.
“I caught too much plate tonight and they made me pay,” said Happ.
Jon Lester [10-10] kept the Pirates off the scoreboard until the seventh inning.
Aramis Ramirez led off with a single and Francisco Cervelli also singled. Ramirez advanced to third base on the play. He scored when Michael Morse hit into a double play.
“He hit a ball hard but in a place where they could turn a double play,” Hurdle said of Morse. “He had a good count, and a good look at him throughout the line. He’s [Lester] a very tough man to hit.”
Sean Rodriguez was then hit by a pitch. Jung Ho Kang then came in as a pinch-hitter replacing Pedro Florimon. Fans responded with a loud ovation and Lester chants similar to the Cueto chants of the 2013 NLDS.
Lester was unfazed however, and got Kang to strike out.
The Cubs pitcher attempted to pitch his first complete game of the season, and did just that. He threw 111 pitches and 71 strikes. This is also his 12th career complete game.
“This is what he does,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said to assembled media. “He likes pitching in big games the latter part of the season.”
Cubs manager Joe Maddon elected not to go with a reliever in this scenario. Justin Grimm, a reliever lost game one earlier Tuesday. The bullpen also lost Lester’s last start after he threw seven innings and allowed one run on two hits against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Game three of four will take place Wednesday night when A.J. Burnett [8-5 3.14 ERA] will take on Jake Arrieta [19-6 1.99 ERA]. Arrieta is looking to become the first 20-game winner this season. Burnett is 8-4 with a 2.91 ERA in 15 career starts against the Cubs.
Of note: The Pirates named Max Moroff and Yeudy Garcia Minor League Player and Pitcher-of-the-Year. Moroff batted .293 with seven home run and 51 RBI for the Altoona Curve while Garcia went 12-5 with a 2.10 ERA and 112 strikeouts for the West Virginia Power. Both were honored in a pregame ceremony prior to game two of the doubleheader… The West Virginia Black Bears won the New York-Penn League Championship defeating the Staten Island Yankees 2-0 in the series. Casey Hughston went 2-for-4 and hit the game-winning home run in the top of the ninth inning.
Photo credit: @Cubs
