The Pittsburgh Pirates split a doubleheader with the Chicago Cubs Tuesday at PNC Park. The Pirates won the first game 5-4. Gerrit Cole pitched into the seventh inning, allowing three earned runs. He struck out eight. Cole appeared to be in line to win the game, but the Cubs tied the score with three runs. Tony Watson won in relief when Starling Marte drove in Pedro Florimon on a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning. Marc Melancon notched his 46th save of the season.
The Cubs won the night cap 2-1. Cubs starter Jon Lester pitched a complete game allowing just the one run on five hits. He struck out nine Pirates. J.A. Happ started that game for the Pirates and allowed both runs on eight hits. He pitched into the sixth inning, striking out eight. After driving in one run Tuesday, Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen increased his season total to 93, four away from setting a new career high. McCutchen drove in 96 runs in 2012.
The Bucs and Cubs meet again tonight at PNC Park. A.J. Burnett (8-5, 3.14 ERA) will start for the Pirates. Jake Arrieta (19-6, 1.99 ERA) will start for Chicago. This is Burnett’s second start since his return from a strained flexor tendon in his right arm. He gave up three runs in the first inning of his first start back, then settled down to throw four scoreless innings. Arrieta has shut down the Pirates this season, going 2-1 with a 0.86 ERA.
First pitch is 7:05pm. Pre-game on WISR 680am is 6:40pm.
The St. Louis Cardinals were winners in Milwaukee last night, so the Pirates are now three games back in the N.L. Central. The Cubs fell to seven behind. The Pirates still lead the Cubs by four games in the chase to host the National League Wild Card game.
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