Anthony Rizzo’s 12th-inning sacrifice fly was enough to lift the Chicago Cubs past the Pittsburgh Pirates by a 3-2 score Wednesday night.
Cubs ace Jake Arrieta was attempting to become the first Cubs pitcher since Jon Lieber in 2001 to record 20 wins. He has thrown 17 straight quality starts and has thrown at least eight innings in his last four starts. His eight-game winning streak, however, was snapped as he had a no-decision.
Pirates starter A.J. Burnett went 5.1 innings and escaped trouble throughout the night.
After struggling in both games of Tuesday’s doubleheader, Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant led off the second inning with a ground-rule double. Quickly, Burnett regrouped and got two strikeouts and a ground out.
An inning later, Dexter Fowler recorded a one-out triple, his eighth of the season, which places him in a tie for second in the National League. Starling Marte overran the ball on his route and it deflected off of his glove. Burnett then walked Kyle Schwarber, but got Chris Coghlan to strike out and Anthony Rizzo to fly out.
The Cubs got another baserunner aboard in the fifth inning when Javier Baez singled to leadoff the inning. Baez also stole second base. With two outs, Kyle Schwarber got a hold of a pitch, but it landed foul, hitting the Pirates Charities sign along the right field wall. He would strike out.
Rizzo singled and stole second base without a throw. Bryant then recorded a double, his 26th of the season, allowing Rizzo to jog home with the game’s first run. Bryant now has 93 RBIs on the season, which ties him with Andrew McCutchen for fourth place in the National League.
Miguel Montero also contributed a single, placing runners on first and third base while ending Burnett’s night.
“I’d like to stay out of the stretch a little less but I was able to make pitches early on,” Burnett said. “I think I’m getting there. Tonight was definitely better than the first start.”
Jared Hughes came on to pitch and Starlin Castro hit a sacrifice bunt. Though the run was going to score regardless because there was one out in the inning, Hughes’ throw to first base was ruled an error, allowing two Cubs runners to remain on base.
In the bottom of the inning, Gregory Polanco singled on a ball that deflected off Castro’s glove. When Starling Marte hit a ground ball to Arrieta, the inning appeared to be over, however, as was the case with Hughes, the Cubs starter misplayed the ball, allowing a run to score. There was no RBI on the play and the run was not earned.
The Pirates threatened once again in the eighth. Neil Walker singled, as did Francisco Cervelli, whose ball deflected off Baez’s glove, allowing pinch-runner Pedro Florimon to advance to third base.
Pinch-hitter Josh Harrison then came up and grounded into a fielder’s choice. Florimon was ruled out at home by Jim Joyce. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle challenged the play citing the collision rule.
A further announcement was made that there was no violation of the home plate collision rule. The catcher, Montero, was reacting to the trajectory of the throw.
“Didn’t matter what I think.,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “We asked for the replay and we were shot down.”
When a challenge is made, only one thing can be debated. The Pirates were out of challenges since they lost the review, however, since it was the seventh inning or later, Hurdle could have asked Joyce, who is the crew chief, to challenge the other call.
The Pirates still managed to tie the game. Polanco grounded to Castro who got the out at first. Caught in between bases, Alvarez got into a long enough rundown that pinch-runner Sean Rodriguez was able to score.
“If he doesn’t stop and he gets too close, it’s a snap tag and a throw to first and he could get doubled up,” said Hurdle. “He ensured we got the run home to tie the game.”
Vance Worley [4-6] pitched the 12th inning and allowed a single and after a wild pitch a second single before Rizzo’s sacrifice fly. Hector Rondon [6-4] threw the final two innings for the Cubs.
In the contest, the Cubs stole five bases tying a season high set Apr. 28, also against the Pirates.
This four-game series concludes when Charlie Morton [9-7 4.02 ERA] faces Kyle Hendricks [7-6 4.08 ERA]. Morton holds a 3-5 record with a 4.71 ERA in 13 career starts against the Cubs.
He said it: “I don’t think anyone knows what the rule is.” – Jordy Mercer on the home plate blocking rule
Photo credit: Justin Aller/Getty Images
