Pirates fans hopes of making the playoffs are starting to fade away as they were swept this afternoon by the Chicago Cubs. With a home stand against two of the worst ball clubs in the league, the Bucs finished with a record of 2-4.
Jeff Locke had a solid start for the Pirates. He pitched six innings and allowed two runs. The bullpen did not help out his solid effort though as Jason Grilli blew the game in the top of the eighth, for the second game in a row. After the Bucs fought back to tie it up in the seventh, Grilli allowed a single and two run home run to Alfonso Soriano which resulted in the game winner for the Cubs. Scoreless innings were thrown out of Kyle McPherson, Chad Qualls, and Joel Hanrahan.
Andrew McCutchen hit his 27th home run, and first since August 16th, in the first inning off of Chris Rusin. He had a chance to win the game in the ninth inning but popped out with two men on, and nobody out. Brock Holt had three hits and the offense would score their other run on a balk in the bottom of the seventh.
Carlos Marmol converted the save, despite being threatened by the Pirates. The team loaded the bases with one out, but could not put anymore runs on the board as Gaby Sanchez struck out and Pedro Alvarez flew out.
The team will open up a three game series against the division leading Cincinnati Reds tomorrow night.
