The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Chicago Cubs 7-5 last night at PNC Park. Andrew McCutchen and Gregory Polanco hit home runs for the Bucs. The Pirates had 12 hits in the game. Antonio Bastardo picked up the win in relief of starter Jeff Locke. Mark Melancon notched his 34th save of the season. Locke pitched five solid innings, before allowing four earned runs and leaving the game in the sixth inning. The victory snapped a Cubs six-game win streak. They have fallen a half-game behind San Francisco in the race for the final Wild Card position.
The St. Louis Cardinals came back from a 3-0 deficit against the Cincinnati Reds last night to win in extra innings, and keep the Pirates 5-1/2 games back in the N.L. Central.
The Pirates are off today and begin a three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday night. Manager Clint Hurdle will use the off-day to shuffle the team’s starting rotation. Gerrit Cole will start Friday’s game, followed by Francisco Liriano Saturday. Charlie Morton will then move up to start Sunday’s game.
Pirate infielders Jordy Mercer and Josh Harrison will begin minor league rehab assignments next week. Mercer is recovering from a sprained knee and bruised leg. Mercer could return within two weeks. Harrison is recovering from thumb surgery, and is likely out until September.
The Cleveland Indians have claimed reliever Deolis Guerra off waivers from the Pirates. Guerra was designated for assignment after the Bucs traded for reliever Joakim Soria.
(In the caption–Andrew McCutchen trots off his home run. )
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