The Pittsburgh Pirates avoided a series sweep by the Chicago Cubs with a 6-5 victory Sunday at Wrigley Field. The Pirates scored four runs in the first inning and built a 6-1 lead by the third inning. Wilmer Difo led the Bucs with three hits and drove in three. Tyler Anderson allowed two runs on four hits over eight innings. He walked just one and struck out six. Kyle Crick and Richard Rodriguez allowed the Cubs three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Rodriguez ended the game with his sixth save of the season. The run he allowed was the first of the season.
The Pirates lost to the Cubs 3-2 both Friday and Saturday. They are back at PNC Park and will open a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds tonight at 6:35pm. Hear the game on WISR 680am beginning at 6:10pm. Mitch Keller will start for the Pirates.
The Bucs had to make a number of roster moves due to injuries over the weekend. First baseman Colin Moran was injured in the series and they were already without outfielder Gregory Polanco. Bryan Reynolds is also banged up. The Pirates had to call up outfielder Troy Stokes, Jr. from the minor league’s Sunday, and to make roster space, have designated reliever Michael Feliz for assignment. They also transferred third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes to the 60-day injured list.