Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Match Player Stats On Aug 30, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Aug 30, 2017

CHICAGO — Ian Happ went 3-for-5 with a homer, four RBIs and two runs scored to lead the Chicago Cubs' season-high 20-hit attack on Wednesday night in their 17-3 rout of the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete a three-game sweep.

Kyle Schwarber added a pair of two-run homers and Anthony Rizzo had a solo shot for the Cubs.

Cubs starter Jose Quintana (5-3) shook off a rough first inning and sailed to his third win in his last four starts.

The National League Central-leading Cubs improved to a season-high 12 games above .500 (72-60). The Pirates (63-71) fell 10 games behind the Cubs.

Quintana worked six innings and allowed three runs and four hits while striking out nine. He threw 99 pitches, 79 for strikes.

Losing pitcher Ivan Nova (11-12) suffered his second straight loss and departed after three innings, his shortest outing since a 2 2/3-inning appearance on May 30 against Boston.

Kris Bryant was 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Rizzo was 2-for-3 with three runs and two RBIs to go with his 31st homer in the sixth.

Schwarber, who was 2-for-6 with four RBIs, homered in the fifth and seventh innings and now has 24.

Cubs catcher Rene Rivera was 3-for-5 andshortstop Javier Baez and leadoff batter Jon Jay had two hits apiece.

The Pirates put two runners on in the first inning and Sean Rodriguez scored on David Freese's two-out single to right center. Quintana then faced bases loaded and hit Starling Marte to bring home Andrew McCutchen to make it 2-0.

The Cubs got a run back with two outs in the bottom of the first when Happ singled in Jay, who reached on a leadoff base hit.

In the second, Baez tied the score by stealing home in a sequence that began as he reached first on a Freese error, stole second and advanced to third as catcher Chris Stewart's pickoff throw sailed into center field.

Baez then stole home as Quintana set up to bunt with one out. Stewart's snap throw to third was too late and Baez was already sprinting home.

In the third, Jay denied McCutcheon an extra-base hit with a running, desperation grab. Jay followed with another as he nearly sprinted into the right-field ivy to haul in Josh Bell's drive.

Rizzo gave the Cubs a 3-2 lead with a one-out double to deep left in the Cubs' third, driving in Bryant.

Happ then launched a towering home run off Nova deep off into the right-field bleachers. His 21st homer of the season brought in Rizzo for a 5-2 advantage.

Nova departed after three innings. He allowed five runs (four earned) and five hits, walked one and struck out five. He was replaced by left-hander Steven Brault.

Quintana, meanwhile, settled down after a rough start and retired the next 12 straight.

Happ struck again with a double with none out, driving in Bryant to make it 6-2 and start a seven-run fifth.

Jason Heyward's single to right plated Rizzo for a 7-2 lead and ended Brault's night. There were still none out when reliever A.J. Schugel gave up a double to Baez that scored Happ and Heyward for a 9-2 lead.

Quintana got in on the scoring with an RBI single that drove in Baez, and Schwarber clubbed a two-run homer to make it 12-2.

Bell hit Quintana for a solo homer to open the sixth. His 23rd homer cut the deficit to 12-3.

NOTES: The Pirates placed LHP Wade LeBlanc on irrevocable waivers this week, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. LeBlanc has been dealing with a left quad strain. ... Pittsburgh's Triple-A Indianapolis affiliate has clinched its fourth International League division title in six years and heads into the league playoffs next Wednesday. ... The Pirates are off Thursday and then send RHP Gerrit Cole (11-8, 3.99 ERA) against Reds RHP Luis Castillo (2-7, 3.25) in Friday's opener of a three-game weekend series at Cincinnati. ... RHP Kyle Hendricks (5-4, 3.45) goes against Braves LHP Sean Newcomb (2-7, 4.36) to start a four-game series against Atlanta on Thursday at Wrigley Field. ... The 33 straight successful save opportunities by RHP Wade Davis in two seasons is the longest active in the majors after a 60-game stretch of converted save chances came to an end last week.