Game One Hundred Fifty-Five – Cubs 4, Pirates 0
WP – Jake Arrieta (21-6) LP – A.J. Burnett (9-6) Save – None
Jake Arrieta took a perfect game into the seventh inning and hit an opposite field home run in the second inning. Arrieta gave up a single to Gregory Polanco leading off the seventh, the only base knock on the night for the Pirates. Kris Bryant drove in the first run of the game and Starlin Castro added a two-run double in the seventh as the Cubs shutout the Pirates on Sunday night at the old ballyard.
Jake Arrieta was ridiculous again and posted his 21st win of the season. Arrieta dominated the Pirates for seven innings four weeks after tossing his no-hitter in Los Angeles. Arrieta struck out six of the first nine batters he faced, and ended up with nine strikeouts on the night. Arrieta hit Andrew McCutchen in the seventh but faced one over the minimum on 84 pitches, 54 for strikes, in seven innings.
Kris Bryant (2-for-4 with a RBI) gave Arrieta all the run support he would need with a first inning single to center that plated Dexter Fowler (1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored).
Jake Arrieta (1-for-3 with a home run) helped his own cause when he crushed a 1-0 pitch from A.J. Burnett in the second. Arrieta hit his second home run of the season into the bleachers in right center. Arrieta just missed hitting another longball in the sixth when he flied out to McCutchen at the ivy in left center.
Starlin Castro (2-for-4 with a double and two RBI) thought he had a three-run homer in the seventh. The Pirates challenged the call and it was overturned. Castro settled for a two-run double. Dexter Fowler and Austin Jackson (walk, run scored) scored and the four-run lead allowed Joe Maddon to go to his pen for the eighth inning.
Travis Wood completed the one-hit shutout with two scoreless innings in relief of Arrieta.
The Cubs played a good game Sunday and showed no hangover from Saturday’s celebration. The Cubs dropped the series to the Pirates (1-2) but finished with an 11-8 record versus Pittsburgh on the season.
With Sunday’s win (15-11 on Sunday in 2015), the Cubs improved to 90-65 on the season. The Cubs’ sixth 90-win team since 1969.
Jake Arrieta made quick work of the Pirates in the first inning. Arrieta struck out Gregory Polanco and Andrew McCutchen both swinging. Starling Marte tapped back to the mound. Arrieta made 14 pitches, nine for strikes.
The Cubs jumped out to an early lead, but should have had more. Dexter Fowler walked and moved to second when Schwarber moved the baseball and bounced out to Alvarez at first base.
Kris Bryant ripped a single to center. Fowler scored, 1-0 Cubs. Anthony Rizzo walked. And Starlin Castro beat out Mercer’s throw from the hole at short for an infield single. The Cubs loaded the bases with one out. Jorge Soler struck out swinging, the 2500th strikeout of A.J. Burnett’s career. Miguel Montero bounced out to Walker for the third out.
The Cubs had a 1-0 lead after one inning.
Jake Arrieta struck out two of the three batters he faced in the second … 27 pitches, 16 for strikes, for Arrieta after two innings.
Jake Arrieta stepped in with one out in the second inning. Russell popped a 3-1 pitch to short for the first out. Arrieta cranked a 1-0 pitch to deep right center. The ball ended up several rows deep in the bleachers and the Cubs took a 2-0 lead on Arrieta’s second home run of the season.
Dexter Fowler tapped a 3-2 pitch back to the mound and Schwarber grounded out to second for the third out. Burnett made 36 pitches, 19 for strikes, in two innings.
The Cubs led 2-0 after two innings.
While Jake Arrieta was busy retiring one Pirates’ hitter after the other, the Cubs could not cash in opportunities against A.J. Burnett. After five innings, the Cubs were 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base.
Jake Arrieta retired the Pirates in order in the sixth inning. Arrieta needed 75 pitches, 48 for strikes, to complete six innings. And Arrieta made the Cubs’ final out in the sixth when he flied to Andrew McCutchen at the ivy in left center.
The game went to the seventh with the Cubs leading 2-0 and Arrieta with a Perfect Game intact.
Gregory Polanco led off the seventh with a clean single to left, the first hit and baserunner off Jake Arrieta on the night. Arrieta struck out Starling Marte swinging (1-2 pitch). Polanco swiped second as Marte made the first out of the inning. Arrieta plunked Andrew McCutchen. Chris Bosio made a mound visit with Aramis Ramirez due up. Arrieta got the groundball he needed. Ramirez grounded into a 6-4-3 inning ending double play.
Clint Hurdle went to his bullpen for the seventh. Dexter Fowler started the inning with a single to right off Antonio Bastardo. Austin Jackson hit for Schwarber and walked. With runners on first and second with no outs and Kris Bryant due up, the Pirates acted as if the umps made a mistake with the count. Jared Hughes got ready while the umps took another look. Hurdle then went to his pen and replaced the lefty Bastardo with the righty Hughes. Bryant popped out to right (0-1 pitch) for the first out. Hurdle made another trip to the mound and another pitching change. Southpaw Bobby LaFromboise took over for Hughes to face Rizzo. Anthony Rizzo flied out to left center. Fowler tagged and went to third. McCutchen made a rare mental mistake and threw to third. Jackson moved up to second on the throw. Hurdle made the slow walk and called on Arquimedes Caminero.
Starlin Castro smoked a 2-1 pitch to deep left. In real time, the ball appeared to hit off the bricks just behind the basket for a three-run home run. Castro circled the bases. The Pirates asked for a review and the call was overturned. Castro had to settle for a two-run double and the Cubs had to settle for a 4-0 lead. Jorge Soler struck out swinging to end the inning.
After seven complete, it was 4-0 Cubs.
And that would be the final score. Travis Wood pitched two scoreless innings and the Pirates did not get another hit on the night.
Kyle Hendricks takes on Yordano Ventura and the Royals on Monday night (7:05pm CDT) in the make-up game from May 30.