Cubs 6, Pirates 3
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[June 21, 2014]
Edwin Jackson (5-7) struck out eight
and allowed three runs on five hits over five innings to earn his first
win in four starts against Pittsburgh this season, and Hector Rondon
worked a perfect ninth for his eighth save. Anthony Rizzo added a pair
of RBIs for the Cubs, who have won nine of their last 11 at home.
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Jordy Mercer hit a three-run homer for the Pirates and Gregory
Polanco went 1-for-4 and has hit safely in a franchise-record 10
straight games to begin his big-league career. Charlie Morton (4-8)
allowed six runs and eight hits in six innings to snap a three-start
winning streak.
Chicago broke open a scoreless game in the third when Rizzo doubled
into the right-field corner to score a pair of runs and Castro
followed with his 11th homer on a blast to left for a 5-0 lead.
Mercer brought the Pirates back in it with a three-run blast on a
hanging slider from Jackson in the fifth, but Coghlan added a solo
shot leading off the bottom of the frame.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Jun/21/images/ads/current/charrons_bch041713.png) The Pirates had two on with one out in the sixth and seventh, but
Cubs relievers wiggled out of trouble both times. Pedro Strop
stranded a runner in the eighth before Rondon wrapped up a strong
effort from the Chicago bullpen by fanning two in the ninth,
including a swinging strikeout of Polanco to end it.
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GAME NOTEBOOK: The Cubs appeared to score in the first when Coghlan
scooted home following an apparent wild pitch on a swinging third
strike to Rizzo, but replay showed the pitch hit Rizzo in the foot
after his swing and Coghlan was sent back to third. … The Pirates
demoted RHPJason Grilli and turned over the closer's role to RHP
Mark Melancon after Grilli blew his fourth save of the season
Thursday. … Castro is the first batter with three career homers off
Morton and all have come this season.
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