Cubs 4, Pirates 0
CHICAGO -- Jake Arrieta earned his major league-leading 21st victory in impressive fashion on Sunday with a one-hit, nine strikeout performance over seven innings as the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0.
Arrieta even contributed a second-inning home run -- his second of the season -- as the Cubs (90-65) snapped a three-game losing streak and avoided a series sweep.
The Cubs right-handed ace (21-6) threw 84 pitches, 54 for strikes as he collected his 10th win in 11 outings, a run that included one no-decision.
Along with his homer, Arrieta also sent a long drive to the warning track in the sixth.
Third baseman Kris Bryant went 2-for-4 with an RBI while catcher Miguel Montero and second baseman Starlin Castro also had two hits apiece for the Cubs.
In the seventh, Castro's ground-rule double off the top edge of the left field bleachers scored Dexter Fowler and Austin Jackson for a 4-0 lead.
Arrieta was perfect though six innings, then gave up a leadoff single to right fielder Gregory Polanco and hit center fielder Andrew McCutchen with a pitch with one out. But he preserved as shutout when third baseman Aramis Ramirez grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Arrieta's last loss came on July 25 when he gave up three earned runs in six innings vs. the Phillies.
Pirates right-handed starter A.J. Burnett (9-6) worked six innings and gave up two runs on seven hits. He struck out five and walked a pair. Pittsburgh (95-61) then went through a parade of four pitchers in the seventh until right-hander Arquimedes Caminero closed the inning.
Cubs left hander Travis Wood worked the final two innings, allowing just one baserunner while striking out two.
Bryant's one-out single to left-center in the first inning brought home Fowler for a 1-0 Cubs lead.
Chicago went on to load the bases as first baseman Anthony Rizzo walked and Castro beat out an infield single. But Burnett escaped more damage by striking out right fielder Jorge Soler while Montero grounded to second.
Arrieta helped his cause in the second, launching a 1-0 Burnett pitch to right field for his second home run of the season and a 2-0 Cubs lead.
NOTES: SS Jordy Mercer was batting .368 in 10 games since INF Jung Ho Kane was lost for the season on Sept. 17. ... The Pirates send LHP J.A. Happ (6-2, 2.28 ERA) against Cardinal RHP Lance Lynn (12-10, 3.16 ERA) in Monday's series opener at PNC Park. ... The Cubs close their home regular season on Monday with a makeup game against AL Central champion Kansas City. ... Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks (7-7, 4.23) goes against Royals RHP Yordano Ventura (12-8, 4.40 ERA) in Monday's regular season finale at Wrigley Field.