Rookies rule as Pirates thrash Cubs

[June 21, 2022] Oneil Cruz and fellow rookie Bligh Madris combined to go 5-for-9 with six RBIs after both were recalled earlier Monday, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 12-1 pasting of the visiting Chicago Cubs.

Daniel Vogelbach added a two-run double, and Tyler Heineman an RBI double for the Pirates, who have won two straight after dropping 11 of 12.

Pittsburgh starter J.T. Brubaker (1-7) got his first win since last Aug. 24. He pitched six scoreless innings and allowed five hits and three walks while recording five strikeouts.

Ian Happ hit an RBI single for the Cubs, who have lost two straight and 12 of 14.

Chicago starter Caleb Kilian (0-2), making his third career start, allowed seven runs (five earned) and three hits in 2 1/3 innings, with three strikeouts and five walks.

There was a little of everything in the bottom of the second, when the Pirates staked a 3-0 lead.

Vogelbach and Michael Chavis walked before there was a brief delay while grounds crew members, accompanied by "The Benny Hill Show" theme music, chased a squirrel that had been running around the outfield all inning.

Cruz, making his season debut and playing in his third career game, reached on Jonathan Villar's fielding error at second. Madris, in his big-league debut, drove in Vogelbach and Chavis with a single. An out later, Cruz scored on Hoy Park's sacrifice fly.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Caleb Kilian (45) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh added four in the third. Bryan Reynolds and Jack Suwinski walked, and Vogelbach loaded the bases with an infield base hit. Reynolds scored on a Kilian wild pitch before Cruz's three-run double, although Cruz was thrown out going for a triple.

Chicago broke the shutout against Tyler Beede in the seventh. Alfonso Rivas and Christopher Morel singled and, an out later, Happ hit an RBI single to make it 7-1.

The Pirates blew the doors off with five more in the seventh, highlighted by Vogelbach's two-run double, Cruz's RBI single, Heineman's RBI double and Park's sacrifice fly RBI.

-- Field Level Media

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