Andrew McCutchen, Edinson Volquez Help Pittsburgh Pirates Take Series From Cubs
Andrew McCutchen continued his torrid June, allowing the Pittsburgh Pirates to take their four-game series against the Chicago Cubs with a 4-0 win Thursday night.
Edinson Volquez escaped jams in the fifth and sixth innings with multiple runners in scoring position to secure his fourth victory of the season for the Pirates (32-34). He pitched seven scoreless innings throwing 98 pitches in the process. Volquez allowed nine total base runners striking out five.
“I just wanted to make sure sure I keep the ball down and get guys out,” Volquez told Root Sports during a rain delay.
The Pirates’ outfield made various contributions. Starling Marte made a diving catch in the seventh inning, preventing a Cubs run. McCutchen had a double in the fourth inning and a two-run triple in the fifth. McCutchen now has 15 extra-base hits on the month. Recent call-up Gregory Polanco added another hit and is still a fan favorite.
Clint Barmes allowed the Pirates to have their first scoring opportunity when he legged out a double off Cubs’ starter Jeff Samardzija (2-6) in the third inning and advanced to third on a poor Volquez bunt. Though he would not score, it set an aggressive mindset that would be pay off later.
The Pirates got two runs in the fourth thanks to a Russell Martin ground-rule double and a Jordy Mercer sacrifice fly. McCutchen’s triple one inning later would stretch the lead to four runs, although he was out after he took his foot off the bag. Luis Valbuena applied the tag before McCutchen could put his foot back on the base.
There were two rain delays in this game, with the first coming before players took the field. This pushed the start time to 7:25 and another delay came in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Tony Watson threw a scoreless eighth inning giving him 21.2 consecutive scoreless innings. Watson struck out the side in 15 pitches and has 39 punch outs on the season.
Gaby Sanchez pinch hit in bottom half of the inning and recorded the Pirates’ seventh double of the game, a season high and the most by Pittsburgh since July 18, 2010. Jared Hughes set down the Cubs in order in the ninth inning.
The Pirates will travel to Miami for a three game series against the Marlins. In the first game Jeff Locke (0-1, 5.11 ERA) will face Nathan Eovaldi (4-2, 3.37).
Notes: Casey Sadler was sent down to Triple-A Indianapolis and Michael Martinez was called up. In 61 games, Martinez was a .229 hitter with one home run and 20 RBI at Triple-A. This season Martinez played 35 games at second base, 22 games at shortstop, seven games in the outfield and three at shortstop… Ike Davis got his 400th career hit.