Pittsburgh Pirates Slam Four Homers To Sweep Away Chicago Cubs

The Pittsburgh Pirates collected a season high in hits and a three-game sweep on Sunday as they turned back the Chicago Cubs 10-4 at Wrigley Field.

With the victory,Clint Hurdle‘s crew improved 74-68 and laid claim to a half-game lead over the Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers for the National League’s second Wild Card playoff spot. The Bucs have 20 games left on the schedule with nine at home and 11 on the road.

Contributing to the 19-hit barrage by the Bucs,Andrew McCutchen,Gaby SanchezandNeil Walkereach nailed three hits whileJordy Mercer,Russell Martin,Starling MarteandJose Tabatahad two apiece. For McCutchen, it was the second consecutive game that he put up three hits.

Neil Walker got the offensive assault started in the first against Chicago left-handerTravis Woodwith a two-run drive to left for his 19th home run this season, matching second basemanBill Mazeroski‘s 1958 record total at the position.

In the five-run second, when Mercer blasted his 11th homer over the left-field fence, followed by McCutchen’s 22nd, it marked the eighth time this season the Pirates put up back-to-back homers.

Wood, whose record dropped to 8-12 on the season, surrendered seven earned runs on nine hits while striking out one over 1 2/3 innings of work.

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Pirates starterGerrit Colethrew 106 pitches over six-plus innings, allowing four runs, three earned on nine hits. He struck out eight while walking none as his record improved to 8-5.

Additionally, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound right-hander stood up and had his bat counted in the hit parade. In the seventh, Cole sent relieverBlake Parker‘s first-pitch fastball into the seats in left field for his first career home run.

The Cubs got on the scoreboard in the fifth onMike Olt‘s single that scoredRyan Kalish. Cole gave up another run in the sixth whenWelington Castillodoubled to left to drive homeChris Coghlan.

Matt Szczursingled home Olt as Cole faced three batters in the seventh before giving way toJeanmar GomezandBobby LaFromboiseto finish the frame.

John Axfordanswered the call to the bullpen and struck out two on 21 pitches in the eighth whileJohn Holdzkomclosed out the ninth with 18 pitches.

The Pirates continue their road trip as they open a four-game series with in-state rival Philadelphia on Monday at Citizens Bank Park, with the first pitch set for 7:05 p.m.

The Phillies (66-76) will send right-handerKyle Kendrick(8-11, 4.77 ERA) to the mound, while the Bucs will counter withJeff Locke(6-4, 3.75 ERA).

The 26-year-old Locke will be making his 18th start of the season on Monday night. The left-hander has gone 4-1 in his last six starts and is 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA in four starts this year against teams from the NL East. The game will be broadcast by ROOT Sports Pittsburgh.