Ben Gamel's 3-run blast helps Pirates defeat Cubs

[April 14, 2022]  Ben Gamel's go-ahead three-run home run in the first inning Wednesday stood up as the Pittsburgh Pirates downed the visiting Chicago Cubs 6-2 for a split of their two-game series.

Kevin Newman added a two-run triple, and Ke'Bryan Hayes went 4-for-4 with an RBI single and two runs scored for the Pirates, who scored all of their runs with two outs.

Pittsburgh starter Zach Thompson gave up two runs and five hits in four-plus innings, with three strikeouts and one walk. He left the game after getting hit in the back of the right (throwing) shoulder with a comebacker by Nico Hoerner two batters into the fifth.

The Pirates said Thompson has a contusion and is day-to-day.

Dillon Peters (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings and Wil Crowe worked the final three innings for his professional save.

Willson Contreras hit a solo homer and Seiya Suzuki added an RBI single for the Cubs.

Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks (0-1) allowed six runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings, with four strikeouts and four walks in his second start of the season.

Contreras gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead in the first with a two-out blast to center, his first homer.

Pittsburgh answered in the bottom of the first, also with two outs. Hayes reached on an infield single and Yoshi Tsutsugo walked. Gamel followed with his first homer for a 3-1 lead.

Apr 13, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Ben Gamel (18) makes a diving catch for an out on a ball hit by Chicago Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward (not pictured) during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Pittsburgh won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pirates added two in the third, also with two down. Hayes doubled to left with one out. After Tsutsugo struck out, Gamel walked. Newman's standup triple off the wall in the right field corner drove in both runners for a 5-1 lead.

Thompson set down eight in a row until the fourth, when Contreras doubled to right and Ian Happ walked. Suzuki's single to center drove in Contreras to cut it to 5-2.

In the bottom of the fourth, Hoy Park walked with one out, went to second on Daniel Vogelbach's single to center and to third on Bryan Reynolds' flyout. Hayes followed with an RBI single to right to increase Pittsburgh's lead to 6-2.

--Field Level Media

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