Cubs get sweep as Pirates lose seventh consecutive game
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The Cubs' Geovany Soto, center, is congratulated by teammate Tyler Colvin after hitting a home run against the Pirates in the third inning of Thursday's game at PNC Park. Pirates catcher Mike McKenry adjusts his helmet.
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James McDonald did everything he could to stop the Pirates' losing streak.
He pitched seven innings for the first time this season. He hit a bases-clearing double. But the bullpen squandered the lead he handed over as the Pirates' losing streak stretched to a season-high seven games.
A three-run eighth inning allowed the Cubs to re-take the lead and sweep the Pirates with a 7-6 win at PNC Park Thursday night. The Pirates had a 6-4 lead entering the eighth inning, but the Cubs tied the game without recording an out.
"The inning just got more complicated from there," manager Clint Hurdle said.
Game: Pirates vs. Padres, 7:05 p.m., PNC Park.
TV, radio: Root Sports, WPGB-FM 104.7.
Pitching: RHP Aaron Harang (9-3, 3.76) vs. RHP Jeff Karstens (8-5, 2.49).
Key matchup: Harang vs. Ryan Ludwick, 11 for 30 (.367) with three home runs in his career against his former teammate.
Of note: Karstens' 2.49 ERA ranks second in the National League.
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Three Pirates relievers, Daniel McCutchen, Jason Grilli and Joe Beimel, entered and exited the game without retiring a batter.
Hurdle said he chose McCutchen to start the eighth because he had rested the past two days. McCutchen allowed a bloop single to Reed Johnson and a hard-hit single to Starlin Castro.
"Our team needed me to come through right there, trying to save our bullpen in the eighth," McCutchen said. "Outings happen. You hate it when they do, but they happen."
McCutchen then threw a pitch that barely hit Darwin Barney, loading the bases with none out.
"I don't know if it got him or not," said McCutchen, who took the loss. "I'm trying to go in there, and the ball ran on me."
Since he pitched 5 1/3 innings in a 19-inning game July 26 against the Atlanta Braves, McCutchen has allowed four runs in three innings, though he said he felt good Thursday.
"That was probably the problem," he said, noting that he may have been overthrowing a little bit.
Grilli relieved him and gave up a single to Aramis Ramirez that scored Johnson and cut the Pirates' lead to 6-5. Beimel replaced Grilli to face the left-handed Carlos Pena and walked him with the bases loaded to tie the score.
Jose Veras relieved Beimel and allowed a sacrifice fly to Marlon Byrd that put the Cubs ahead. Veras got out of the inning, but it was too late.
First Published August 5, 2011 12:00 am
