Harrison leads Pirates over Cubs 7-3 ... Minutes after triggering the first triple play in PNC Parks 14-year history, Josh Harrison doubled for two runs to also trigger a six-run, fifth-inning rally that carried the Bucs to a 7-3 victory Sunday over the Cubs and a triple play helped the Pittsburgh Pirates maintain their 1 1/2-game lead for the NLs second wild card. Josh Harrison started Pittsburghs first triple play at home in 21 years and hit a tying two-run double in a six-run fifth inning Sunday as the Pirates rallied past the Chicago Cubs 7-3. Edinson Volquez (12-7) improved to 4-0 in his last 10 starts for the Pirates, who have won eight of their last 10 games. Milwaukee kept pace with a 9-2 victory over Cincinnati. Pittsburgh improved to 14-5 against Chicago this year, winning all six series, and eliminated the Cubs from playoff contention. Chicago has not won the World Series since 1908 and hasnt even reached the postseason since 2008. Chicago led 3-0 and put runners on first and second in the fourth when Matt Szczur grounded to third. Harrison started an around-the-horn 5-4-3 triple play, throwing to second baseman Neil Walker, who relayed to first baseman Andrew Lambo. Pittsburgh had not turned a triple play since April 12, 2009, against Cincinnatis Edwin Encarnacion by left fielder Jack Wilson, second baseman Freddy Sanchez and first baseman Adam LaRoche. The Pirates had not accomplished the feat at home since Aug. 10, 1993, at Three Rivers Stadium against St. Louis by shortstop Jay Bell, second baseman Carlos Garcia and first baseman Kevin Young, who doubled up future Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith. Volquez allowed three runs - one earned - four hits and five walks in seven innings. He has his most victories in a year since winning 17 for Cincinnati in 2008. Jacob Turner (5-10) gave up seven runs, seven hits and three walks in 4 1-3 innings. Chicago went ahead in the second on a run-scoring throwing error by Volquez and John Bakers sacrifice fly, then made it 3-0 in the third on Chris Coghlans sacrifice fly after catcher Russell Martins throwing error on Javier Baezs steal of second. Walker hit his 20th homer in the fourth. After Harrisons double, Travis Snider and Walker hit RBI doubles, and Gaby Sanchez and Gregory Polanco added run-scoring singles. NOTES: *Pittsburgh OF Starling Marte played for the first time since he was removed Thursday with left elbow discomfort. He entered as a defensive replacement in the eighth. *Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo (lower back strain) and SS Starlin Castro (left ankle sprain) didnt play. Rizzo is expected to return Monday while Castro hasnt played since Sept. 2. *2.Chicago hosts Cincinnati in a three-game series, with LHP Travis Wood (8-12) opposing Reds RHP Alfredo Simon (14-10). *Pittsburgh continues its final homestand of the regular season with three game games Boston. *RHP Charlie Morton is set to start for the Pirates on Tuesday. Morton was placed on the 15-day DL on Aug. 17 with right hip inflammation, two days after he lasted three innings against Washington. RHP Anthony Ranaudo is slated for Boston (3-2). *Pride of Pittsburgh; Walker, a native of nearby Gibsonia, set a Pirates record for home runs by a second baseman with one more than Bill Mazeroski hit in 1958. Below: Pittsburgh Pirates Josh Harrison celebrates as he stands on second base after driving in two runs with a double off Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jacob Turner during the fifth inning. Chicago Cubs John Baker (12) drives in a run with a sacrifice fly to left field during the second inning in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Pirates Russell Martin doubles on a sharp line drive to left fielder Chris Coghlan in the second inning. Neil Walker #18 of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Russell Martin #55 celebrate after Walker hit his 20th homer in the fourth inning at PNC Park. Edinson Volquez #36 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 00:14:16 +0000
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