Cubs come back to take final game from Pirates, avoiding sweep
By Todd Boyer
May 30, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke (49) pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 1-0 in eleven innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
On Sunday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Pirates looked to sweep the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field for the first time since 2000, but they came up short in a 4-1 loss.
Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke held a no-hitter through 5 2/3 innings, allowing one run off one hit, seven walks and six strikeouts. Justin Wilson relieved him and escaped a jam in the sixth, but allowed a three-run homer to Cody Ransom in the seventh that decided the game.
The Pirates (37-26) broke the game open in the top of the fourth when Garrett Jones hit a single to center field, scoring Andrew McCutchen from second to give the Buccos the 1-0 lead. It was the 400th career run scored for McCutchen, who entered MLB in 2009.
In the bottom of the sixth, with runners on first and third, Cubs’ Scott Hairston hit a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Ransom to tie the game.
In the bottom of the seventh, with Julio Borbon and Darwin Barney on first and second, Ransom hit it out to give the Cubs a 4-1 lead. Chicago would hold the lead, narrowly avoiding its second sweep at the hands of the Pirates this season (May 21-May 23).
Notes: On Tuesday, 2011 No. 1 overall draft pick Gerrit Cole is projected to make his Major League Baseball debut, starting at PNC Park against Tim Lincecum and the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants…Starling Marte recorded his 17th steal for the season, tied for second behind Milwaukee’s Jean Segura.