The Pirates have lost the first two games of the series to the Chicago Cubs as they were, for the second time this year, dominated by Jeff Samardzija. The Pirates struck early against Samardzija as Pedro Alvarez drove in two runs on a single. The Bucs loaded the bases that inning, but were only able to get two.
James McDonald started for the Pirates and once again was off of his game. He only pitched 5.2 innings and allowed three runs on seven hits, one of the runs coming off an Alfonso Soriano home run. Tony Watson threw .2 innings and Jared Hughes was great out of the bullpen. After Watson allowed two men to reach, Hughes set down the next two in the seventh inning to end the threat. Jason Grilli pitched the eighth and allowed the Cubs winning run, and was later docked with his fifth loss of the season. Chris Resop threw a scoreless ninth.
Other than the Alvarez two run single, there was really only one other big hit for the Pirates. Jeff Clement was able to tie the game up in the bottom of the seventh inning on his first hit in the big leagues since 2010. His single off of the Clemente Wall scored Josh Harrison, which tied the game at three at the time.
The Cubs would win the game 4-3 as Jeff Samardzija went the distance. The Pirates will look to not be swept tomorrow afternoon, with Jeff Locke on the hill.
Photo Credits: Associated Press
