Cubs feel at home in 10-0 rout of Pirates

[April 09, 2019]  Ben Zobrist and Kyle Schwarber each drove in two runs, including a homer by Schwarber, and the Chicago Cubs rode a six-run second inning Monday to win their home opener, clobbering the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-0.

The Cubs' second win in eight games came with a caveat, as starter Jon Lester left during the third inning because of left hamstring tightness, something apparently related to when he scored a run in the second. Lester struck out four, walked one and gave up three hits in two-plus innings before four relievers combined to finish Chicago's first shutout.

Brad Brach (1-0), who immediately replaced Lester, gave up one hit in two innings, with three strikeouts and a walk.

Pittsburgh starter Jameson Taillon (0-2), who gave up six unearned runs and four hits, left after two innings and will be re-evaluated after he took at least a glancing blow to the head on a comebacker by Anthony Rizzo. His faculties appeared normal upon an examination by a doctor, but Taillon will be re-evaluated, the Pirates said.

Pittsburgh had won four straight.

Chicago's big second-inning rally all came with two outs and was aided by three errors charged to rookie shortstop Kevin Newman.

Daniel Descalso reached and went to second on Newman's throwing error. After Jason Heyward was intentionally walked, Lester doubled home Descalso. Zobrist followed with a two-run single.

The marquee and scenes outside Wrigley Field prior to a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

After Kris Bryant got hit by a pitch, Rizzo lined a shot that hit Taillon in the head, although it appeared he was able to soften the blow with his glove. Taillon remained on his feet and received medical attention, then remained in through the end of the inning.

Rizzo's RBI single made it 4-0, Javier Baez added an RBI single, and another run scored when Newman bobbled a Schwarber grounder and threw wildly for two errors on the same play.

The Cubs made it 7-0 in the third when Zobrist hit into a bases-loaded double play and 8-0 in the same inning on Bryant's RBI double.

Schwarber hit a two-run homer to left in the fourth to make it 10-0.

--Field Level Media

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