Cubs win as Pirates waste Cole gem
PITTSBURGH -- The Cubs scored an unearned run in the second inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates wasted a brilliant performance by right-hander Gerrit Cole in a 1-0 loss to Chicago on Tuesday at PNC Park.
Cole pitched seven innings, yielding just two hits and striking out eight with no walks.
Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks, while not as dazzling as Cole, was effective enough, holding the Pirates scoreless over six innings. The soft-throwing right-hander gave up four hits, walked two and struck out three.
Koji Uehara, Hector Rondon and Wade Davis completed the shutout with an inning each of shutout relief. Davis recorded his fifth save.
Throwing 97 mph fastballs out of the gate, plus a curveball, slider and even a knuckle-curve, Cole set the tone in the first inning by striking out Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo on six pitches.
Cole fanned Ben Zobrist leading off the second, but Addison Russell banged a double off the wall in right center field. Jason Heyward grounded to second baseman Alen Hanson, who threw the ball away, allowing Russell to score.
The Pirates threatened in the bottom of the inning when Francisco Cervelli walked and Jordy Mercer singled before Hanson fouled out and Cole hit into a force play.
Cole retired 13 straight after Hanson's error until Bryant's infield single with two outs in the sixth. Bryant stole second, but Rizzo grounded weakly to Cole.
Gregory Polanco singled for the Pirates with two outs in the sixth and stole second as Cervelli worked the count to 3-2 before striking out.
With Hendricks out, Jon Jaso greeted Uehara with a double starting the seventh. Mercer's long fly ball to left sent Jaso to third, but Hanson struck out and Jose Osuna, hitting for Cole, flied out.
NOTES: Visiting PNC Park, commissioner Rob Manfred refused to confirm reports that a group led by Jeb Bush and Derek Jeter had reached a deal to buy the Miami Marlins from Jeffrey Loria. "There are multiple groups that had made bids for the club, and when we have a resolution as to which bid is gonna be accepted, we'll announce that publicly. Until that happens, it's just not appropriate for me to comment further." ... Asked about baseball's drug program in the wake of Pittsburgh OF Starling Marte's 80-game suspension, Manfred said in terms of "testing" and investigation," MLB is "the best anywhere." ... The Pirates recalled RHP Johnny Barbato from Triple-A Indianapolis and placed LHP Antonio Bastardo on the 10-day disabled list due to a strained left quad. Bastardo has yielded 12 earned runs in 6 2/3 innings.