Stroman, Happ, Morel assist Cubs beat Pirates 7-2 for a sequence sweep

CHICAGO — Marcus Stroman threw six efficient innings for his sixth straight victory and the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-2 on Thursday evening for a three-game sweep.

Ian Happ had a triple, double and single and drove in two runs, and Christopher Morel went 3 for 3 with a triple and two RBIs. Chicago had 12 hits to succeed in double-digits for the third straight sport.

“It seems like everybody’s contributing,” Cubs supervisor David Ross stated. The at-bats are … centered, relentless perhaps, staying true to their method.”

Stroman thinks the Cubs, at 31-37 are primed to make a run within the watered-down NL Central. Pittsburgh, nonetheless in first place at 34-33, has dropped 4 of 5.

“We have a little momentum going right now,” Stroman stated. “Things finally kind of turned to our favor.”

Cody Bellinger laced an RBI double in Chicago’s five-run fifth inning after lacking a month due to a bruised left knee. Nico Hoerner had two hits.

PHOTOS: Stroman, Happ, Morel assist Cubs beat Pirates 7-2 for a sequence sweep

The Cubs outscored the Pirates 28-11 within the sequence.

“We need to wash through this,” Pittsburgh supervisor Derek Shelton stated. “We didn’t play well this series and we just need to move on and get to Milwaukee.”

Stroman (8-4) allowed 4 hits and struck out 5 whereas strolling two in his MLB-leading thirteenth high quality begin. He hasn’t misplaced or allowed greater than two run in an outing since May 14 at Minnesota.

The 32-year-old proper hander scuffled early, with Tucupita Marcano and Carlos Santana driving in runs within the third to provide Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead.

“Just that one lone inning, where I kind of put balls into play, everything was kind of out of whack,” Stroman stated. “But for the most part I thought I was making quality pitches all night.”

Stroman retired 11 of the final 12 hitters he confronted earlier than Anthony Kay, the primary of three relievers, entered within the seventh. Michael Rucker tossed a 1-2-3 ninth.

The Cubs activated Bellinger from the 10-day injured checklist earlier than the sport and positioned him within the lineup, batting sixth and taking part in first base. It was 2019 NL MVP’s first sport since May 15 in Houston when he injured the left knee as he struck the wall making an acrobatic catch.

After the Pirates jumped forward 2-0 within the third, Happ singled in a run within the backside half.

The Cubs despatched 11 batters to the plate and chased Johan Oviedo (3-6) and reliever José Hernandez with 5 runs within the fifth to take a 6-2 lead. Oviedo allowed 4 runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Happ’s double to the nook in left tied it at 2. Bellinger legged out his double to proper to place Chicago forward.

“Going to second and running right in the guy’s face is pretty spectacular in my opinion,” Ross stated.

Morel adopted with an infield RBI single and Nick Madrigal’s bunt plated a run. Marcano flubbed Hoerner’s routine grounder at shortstop permitting one other flip to attain. Morel‘s sac fly within the sixth made it 7-2.

EASING IN

Although he’s received a Gold Glove within the outfield, Bellinger is anticipated to ease again at first base, the place he has already performed 263 occasions within the majors. The two-time All-Star known as his damage “a fairly large bone bruise.

The 27-year-old will transition again to the outfield because the bruise heals and his capacity to vary course improves.

MERVIS TO MINORS

The Cubs optioned infielder Matt Mervis to Triple-Iowa to make room for Bellinger. The 25-year-old hit .167 with three homers and 11 RBIs for Chicago after making his main league debut May 5.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: Placed RHP Colin Holderman on the 15-day IL with proper wrist irritation and recalled RHP Yerry De Los Santos from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Cubs: LHP Justin Steele (left forearm pressure) threw a “touch-and-feel” batting follow session. … LHP Brandon Hughes (proper knee irritation) performed catch. … INF Edwin Rios (groin pressure) performed at Iowa in a rehab task.

UP NEXT

Pirates: LHP Rich Hill (6-5, 4.23) begins towards Brewers RHP Julio Teheran (1-2, 1.48) on Friday evening to open a three-game sequence in Milwaukee.