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Cole, Pirates down Cubs

Apr 30, 2015 - 3:39 AM Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Gerrit Cole fanned eight in six innings and all nine Pittsburgh Pirates starters had at least one hit in their 8-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday in the finale of a three-game set from Wrigley Field.

Cole (4-0) gave up just one unearned run on three hits to improve to 6-0 lifetime against the Cubs. He was also provided more than enough run support from Pittsburgh's bats.

Jung-ho Kang, filling in at third base to give starter Josh Harrison a day off, had three hits for the first time in his career. Kang, Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte all drove in two runs, and Gregory Polanco scored twice in the lopsided win.

"We stayed stubborn at the place," said Pirates manager Clint Hurdle. "Cole was very, very good on the mound and we got some contributions from other players as well."

McCutchen picked up his 1,000th career hit in the victory.

"It's a special time," added Hurdle. "Good for him, congratulations to him."

Kyle Hendricks (0-1) allowed a pair of runs on five hits over five innings of work, but Chicago's bullpen did not make out quite as well. Gonzalez Germen gave up four runs in the sixth inning, and Phil Coke surrendered two more in the ninth.

Germen struck out Kang and Cole around a Chris Stewart double and walked Polanco before losing his form. Jordy Mercer singled in a run to make it 3-1 and McCutchen followed with a two-run triple to the wall in center.

Neil Walker then drew a walk and Marte followed with an RBI single that made it 6-1.

Kang followed a Pedro Alvarez double with one of his own in the visiting ninth for another run, and he scored on Sean Rodriguez's double-play groundout later in the inning.

Chicago took the first two games of this series and had won four straight games since consecutive losses in Pittsburgh on April 22-23.

The Cubs struck first, as Kris Bryant walked, advanced to second on an error and scored on Miguel Montero's single. Montero advanced on an Alvarez miscue, but Cole struck out the next three batters.

It was all Pittsburgh from there. Kang tied the game at 1-1 with his RBI single in the fourth, and Hendricks walked Marte with the bases loaded in the fifth to make it 2-1.

"They just had a good approach at the plate tonight," said Hendricks. "They laid off some good pitches."

Game Notes

Kang was 4-for-22 in his rookie season before Wednesday's game ... Pittsburgh improved to 6-6 on the road this season ... The Pirates have won six of eight ... Montero had three of Chicago's seven hits.