Mercer, Pirates down Cubs

Published February 05, 2015

Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Francisco Liriano pitched six shutout innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates grabbed a 4-0 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, the Pirates defeated the Cubs, 5-3, in an 11-inning game that was a resumption of Friday's rain-suspended contest.

Liriano (4-10) allowed just three hits and two walks while striking out nine for the Pirates, who have won the first two games of this three-game set after getting swept in a three-game series against St. Louis.

"Everything was down and over the plate tonight," said Liriano. "They were swinging a lot and it helped me get ahead in the count."

Jordy Mercer hit a solo homer and drove in two, while Andrew McCutchen, Gaby Sanchez and Chris Stewart drove in a run each.

Felix Doubront (1-1) was touched for two runs on five hits over five innings for the Cubs, who came into this series having swept Milwaukee in three games.

The Pirates jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first as Starling Marte singled to start the inning, moved to second on a wild pitch and crossed the plate on Mercer's RBI single.

It was a 2-0 game in the third when McCutchen singled, moved to third on a Neil Walker double and came home on Sanchez's groundout.

Pittsburgh tacked on another run in the seventh when McCutchen singled home Chase d'Arnaud.

Liriano didn't allow a runner past second base over his time on the mound, while Justin Wilson had to pitch out of a jam in the seventh.

Mike Olt led off with a double and Matt Szczur walked two batters later. A fielder's choice by Chris Coghlan left runners at the corners, but Wilson then got Arismendy Alcantara to hit into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

The Pirates then padded their lead in the eighth on Stewart's RBI single which scored Gregory Polanco for a 4-0 advantage, and Mercer led off the ninth with his 10th home run of the season.

Game Notes

Pittsburgh has won 11 of the 15 contests against Chicago this season ... Gerrit Cole pitches for Pittsburgh on Sunday, while Travis Wood takes the hill for Chicago ... Liriano improved to 4-2 in nine career starts against the Cubs.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/mercer-pirates-down-cubs