Cubs drill Pirates with help from Alexander Canario

[September 20, 2023]  Dansby Swanson set the tone with a two-run homer in the first inning and Alexander Canario clubbed a late grand slam for his first career home run as the host Chicago Cubs cruised to a 14-1 rout of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.

Seiya Suzuki had a solo shot among his three hits and Cody Bellinger added a three-run blast during an eight-run eighth inning for the Cubs, who snapped a five-game skid as they contend for a playoff berth.  

Sep 19, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hitter Alexander Canario (4) reacts after hitting a grand slam home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago (79-72) remains in the third National League wild-card position, a half-game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks (80-72) and a half-game in front of the Miami Marlins (79-73). The Cincinnati Reds (79-74) are one game back of the Cubs.

Canario, a touted prospect playing his second major league game, delivered an RBI double in the sixth for his first career hit. He then headlined the breakout eighth with a shot to left-center field that cleared the bases, helping Chicago improve to 10-1 against the Pirates (70-81) this season.

Cubs starter Javier Assad (4-3) yielded five hits, one walk and one run, on Ke'Bryan Hayes' solo homer, while striking out a career-high eight over five innings. Five Chicago pitchers combined to fan 16 Pirates.

After totaling 33 runs in its previous 10 contests, Chicago wasted no time getting on the board. Nico Hoerner opened the first with a walk and scored on Swanson's drive off Pirates opener Bailey Falter (2-9). It was Swanson's 21st home run of the season.

With Illinois native Quinn Priester on the mound for Pittsburgh, Chicago added two more runs in the second. Patrick Wisdom delivered an RBI double and eventually scored on Hoerner's sacrifice fly to make it a 4-0 game.

Pittsburgh cut into that lead thanks to Hayes' homer into the right-center-field bleachers with two outs in the third. However, the Cubs got that run back in the bottom of the frame on Suzuki's solo shot off Priester, who allowed four runs and five hits over six innings.

The game started following an 85-minute rain delay.

--Field Level Media

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