Final
Surprising Pirates close first half with series against Cubs
Jul 8, 2011 - 3:02 PMVideo
The Pirates will first have to take care of things on their own end, beginning with tonight's opener of a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park.
Having gone 10-5 over their last 15 games, the Pirates enter this series just a game back of both Milwaukee and St. Louis for first place in the National League Central. They sit three games over .500 at 45-42 and are one of the top surprises over the first half of the season.
Pittsburgh did have a three-game win streak stopped on Wednesday, dropping an 8-2 decision to Houston in the finale of a three-game series. Andrew McCutchen drove in a pair of runs, but starter Charlie Morton had some issues after starting the game with five scoreless innings.
Morton was able to record just one out in the sixth inning and was charged with five runs -- four earned -- on eight hits with six strikeouts.
"He pitched well except the hiccup in the sixth," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said of Morton. "The ball wasn't sinking. He was efficient through five."
While the Pirates were unable to come up with a sweep on Wednesday, the Cubs avoided dropping all four games of their series with the Nationals by rallying from an eight-run deficit to take Thursday's finale, 10-9.
Chicago bit into an 8-0 disadvantage by plating six runs in the sixth inning. Darwin Barney had a two-run double in the frame and Blake DeWitt slugged a pinch-hit three-run homer.
"I was looking for a pitch to put a good swing on," DeWitt said.
Carlos Pena later added a two-run homer in the game and Barney put the Cubs ahead for good with a two-out, run-scoring double in the ninth inning. Chicago had plated 10 runs over the first three games of the series, but matched that output on Thursday behind 15 hits to win for the second time in seven games.
Looking to keep that momentum going tonight for Chicago is Rodrigo Lopez, who made his third start of the season for the club on Sunday and picked up a victory with seven scoreless innings of two-hit ball on Sunday versus the White Sox. The 35-year-old struck out three without a walk, improving to 1-2 with a 3.91 earned run average in 12 total appearances this season.
"I feel better being in the rotation. It's what I've been doing most of my career," said Lopez after notching his first win since Sept. 22. "So it made me feel more comfortable. It's something that I think gives me more confidence."
The right-hander has faced the Pirates just once before, beating them on April 9 of last year with Arizona. Lopez was charged with just a run over six innings in that outing.
James McDonald counters for the Pirates and he hasn't factored into the decision of his last three starts despite giving up five earned runs in that span, including two over 6 1/3 innings of Saturday's start versus Washington.
The 26-year-old righty had won two straight games before his current drought and hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in a start since May 13. Still, McDonald is 5-4 with a 4.40 ERA in 17 starts this season, including 2-1 with a 2.98 ERA in eight at home.
McDonald has faced the Cubs twice, one of those a start, and is 0-1 with a 4.05 ERA against them.
The Pirates have won four of six over the Cubs this year and will face them at home for the first time in 2011. They took five of six from Chicago at PNC Park a season ago.
- CHICAGO: 4
PITTSBURGH: 7
Final
Jul 8 10:39 PM - Josh Harrison singled in Neil Walker with two out. On the play, Lyle Overbay advances to second. Runners on first and second with Michael McKenry due up.
Cubs 4, Pirates 4 Bot 8, 2 OutsJul 8 10:25 PM - Darwin Barney singled in Marlon Byrd with one out. On the play, Alfonso Soriano advances to third. Runners on first and third with Kerry Wood due up.
Cubs 4, Pirates 3 Top 8, 1 OutJul 8 9:54 PM - Andrew McCutchen lead-off Home Run (13) to center. Neil Walker due up.
Cubs 3, Pirates 3 Bot 6, 0 OutsJul 8 9:08 PM - Alfonso Soriano doubled in Aramis Ramirez and Marlon Byrd with two out. Runner on second with Darwin Barney due up.
Cubs 3, Pirates 2 Top 6, 2 OutsJul 8 9:01 PM - Neil Walker singled in Alex Presley and Chase d`Arnaud with two out. On the play, Andrew McCutchen advances to second. Runners on first and second with Lyle Overbay due up.
Cubs 1, Pirates 2 Bot 3, 2 OutsJul 8 8:12 PM - Aramis Ramirez two-out, solo Home Run (15) to right. Carlos Pena due up.
Cubs 1, Pirates 0 Top 1, 2 OutsJul 8 7:15 PM - CHICAGO: 0
PITTSBURGH: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jul 8 7:06 PM
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