The Chicago Cubs avoided a three-game series sweep by the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 6-5 win Sunday at PNC Park. Andrew McCutchen hit his 14th home run of the season. Sean Rodriguez added his 10th. Pirate starter Jon Niese allowed five earned runs on eight hits over just 3-2/3rds innings. Tony Watson took the loss when he allowed the winning run in the eighth inning.
Pirates prospect Josh Bell made his major league debut in the weekend series. He delivered two pinch-hits, including his first career grand slam. Sunday he walked and scored a run in another pinch hit effort.
The Pirates enter the All-Star break 46-43 overall. They are 7-1/2 games behind the Cubs and 1-1/2 games out of a Wild Card. The St. Louis Cardinals took over second place in the National League Central Division. They are seven games behind the Cubs.
Major League Baseball announced over the weekend that Pittsburgh’s Starling Marte has been added to the National League All-Star team in place of the injured Yoenis Cespedes. The announcement was made by National League manager Terry Collins.
Marte will join Pittsburgh closer Mark Melancon as representatives of the Pirates at this year’s All-Star Game, Tuesday night in San Diego. This is the sixth straight year in which the Pirates will send multiple representatives to the Midsummer Classic.
Marte enters today ranked ninth in the National League in hitting (.316), second in stolen bases (27), fourth in multi-hit games (31), tied for sixth in hits (97) and tied for second in outfield assists (nine). His .320 average as an outfielder also ranks third in the Majors among players at that position.
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