The Chicago Cubs completed their second three-game series sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates this month following an 8-3 victory Wednesday afternoon at PNC Park. The Bucs managed just two hits in the game. Starting pitcher Rich Hill allowed three earned runs over 5-2/3rd innings.
The Pirates have now lost a season-high nine games in a row, and have been outscored by the Cubs and Brewers 63-20 in that stretch.
The Pirates open a four-game series in Miami tonight. First pitch is 6:40pm. Pre-game on WISR begins at 6:15pm. Mitch Keller will start for the Bucs.
The Marlins are off to their second-best start in franchise history. Their 42-33 record only trails the 1997 World Series team through 75 games. Former Pirate skipper Jim Leyland led that Marlins team to the World Championship.
The Bucs have now fallen five games under .500 for the season, and are five games back in the N.L. Central.
The Cincinnati Reds are now 1-1/2 games in front of Milwaukee, after winning their 11th straight game yesterday.