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The Cubs are 9-2 in their past 11 games and
have shut out the Pirates in back-to-back games to open a
three-game series. They also have won five in a row against
Pittsburgh in the past week, including a three-game sweep last
week in Chicago.
The Pirates have lost a season-worst eight in a row; they
previously dropped seven straight from April 30 to May 7. Their
scoreless drought has reached 24 innings, and they have scored a
total of two runs in the past four games.
Pittsburgh starter Johan Oviedo (3-7) allowed two runs and five
hits in six innings. He struck out three without issuing a walk.
The Pirates played without two of their best players. Designated
hitter Andrew McCutchen had the night off. Bryan Reynolds was
out of the lineup because of back tightness, although manager
Derek Shelton said there were no plans to put the outfielder on
the IL.
In the second with one out, Barnhart hit his first homer of the
season, a shot to center for a 1-0 Cubs lead.
Chicago's Ian Happ hit a one-out triple to the corner in right
in the fourth -- a play that the Pirates unsuccessfully
challenged, saying the ball went out of play for a ground-rule
double.
Dansby Swanson was hit by a pitch before Cody Bellinger's
sacrifice fly to left drove in Happ for a 2-0 edge.
Against Dauri Moreta, Tauchman led off the eighth by hitting his
second homer to right, increasing Chicago's lead to 3-0. The
next batter, Nico Hoerner, tripled to left-center, and he scored
on Seiya Suzuki's sacrifice fly to left. Hoerner was initially
called out at home on a throw by left fielder Josh Palacios, but
that ruling was overturned on a successful Cubs challenge,
making it 4-0.
--Field Level Media
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