Cubs head home after successful road trip
PITTSBURGH - The Cubs were entitled to a little fist-bumping and chest-thumping after Thursday's 9-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
After all, they took three of four games from the Pirates and closed to within 2 games of the Bucs for the top wild-card spot in the National League.
The victory also capped a winning road trip for the Cubs, who went 7-4 in games at St. Louis, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
But manager Joe Maddon has been consistent all year in encouraging his team to celebrate hard for 30 minutes after a victory and then moving on.
"Mission accomplished in one sense," said Maddon, whose team is 85-61. "They're not worried about things. They're not trying harder. We're just playing the same game we've been playing a all year."
Likewise, Maddon said he didn't learn anything new about his team on this trip.
"It's just validation, I think," he said. "We lost a couple of games in Philadelphia and showed we could rebound from that. Philadelphia's played us well this year.
"The thing is, and I keep saying it, today is Thursday, let's play Thursday's game. We've done that. We're playing that day's game. That's all we're doing."
Both the Cubs and Pirates rolled into PNC Park Thursday morning bleary-eyed after playing a 12-inning game Wednesday night after a series-opening, day-night doubleheader Tuesday.
Maybe the Cubs were riding a little bit of a high because they pulled out a 3-2 win Wednesday. Or maybe it was just the caffeine.
Either way, the Cubs took three of four from the Bucs, who play well at home, and that might be considered a statement.
"I don't think we're necessarily thinking about making a statement," said outfielder Chris Coghlan. "I think our whole year has made a statement. But I will say this is a huge series, there's no doubt about it."
There are still issues with this Cubs club, with the effectiveness of the starting rotation being chief among them.
Right now, the Cubs have two consistently effective starters in Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester. After that, the lack of quality starts the Cubs are getting has to be concerning, if not downright alarming.
In Thursday's game, right-hander Kyle Hendricks lasted just 3 innings, as he gave up 6 hits and 4 runs, including 3 home runs.
Maddon wasn't messing around. He had the bullpen early, and lefty Clayton Richard came in and shut the Bucs down, beginning in the fourth.
Richard got the Cubs through the middle innings, going 3⅓ innings before he gave up a couple of hits in the bottom of the seventh. Richard even hit a 2-run double in the fifth.
"Our French Canadian left-hander did a wonderful job," said Maddon, who pronounces Richard's name as "Ree-SHARD" even though Richard is from Indiana. "He's got a good slap shot too, you saw, to left-central."
Richard played it low-key.
"Being able to contribute and help us win and get a little bit closer to our big goal means the most," he said.
The Pirates didn't get much starting pitching, either. Charlie Morton allowed the Cubs 3 runs over the first two innings and was gone after four.
The Cubs scored 6 runs in the fifth, 2 coming on Anthony Rizzo's 30th homer of the season. Rizzo became only the second Cubs left-handed batter with multiple 30-homer seasons, joining Hall of Famer Billy Williams.
Cubs scouting report
Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field
TV: ABC 7 Friday; FOX Saturday; Comcast SportsNet Sunday
Radio: WBBM 780-AM
Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Dan Haren (9-9) vs. Lance Lynn (11-10) Friday at 1:20 p.m.; TBD vs. Michael Wacha (16-5) Saturday at 12:05 p.m.; Jon Lester (10-10) vs. Carlos Martinez (13-7) Sunday at 1:20 p.m.
At a glance: The Cardinals cling to the top spot in the National League Central. The Cubs beat them two of three last week in St. Louis, coming within five outs of a series sweep. The Cardinals have received big contributions from Tommy Pham, who hit a pair of 2-run homers and a triple Wednesday to beat the Brewers. Jason Heyward entered Thursday with a line of .293/.355/.446. Matt Carpenter led the team with 22 homers and 74 RBI. Pitching carries the Cardinals. They ranked first in the National League in ERA (2.86). They were only 12th in both runs scored and home runs. The Cubs begin their final homestand of the regular season, a 10-gamer. Saturday's game gets national TV treatment.
Next: Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field, Monday-Wednesday
- Bruce Miles