WATCH: Highlights of Cubs' shellacking of Pirates, featuring solid debut by Hamels |
PITTSBURGH — With a 9-2 romp on Wednesday, the Chicago Cubs (62-45) earned a series split in their two-game set with the Pittsburgh Pirates (56-53). Aided by a disastrous defensive showing by the Pirates in the top of the first, the Cubs jumped out to a 4-0 lead and did not look back.
Ace left-hander Cole Hamels made his Cubs debut on the night, pitching five innings of one-run ball, in which he struck out nine. Hamels was acquired by the Cubs last week in a trade with the Texas Rangers (46-63). Amassing 15 hits and seven walks in the victory, the Cubs won by more than five runs for the first time since late June. Willson Contreras, Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist each tallied three hits for Chicago. Furthermore, Contreras went yard for the ninth time this season by hammering a two-run home run in the eighth inning.
