Pirates Win Suspended Game Against Cubs
CHICAGO (AP) — Josh Harrison hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the 11th inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 5-3 on Saturday in the conclusion of the series opener that was suspended due to rain.
Harrison finished with four hits and two RBIs, but the All-Star infielder limped off the field after making an over-the shoulder catch in short center field in the bottom of the 11th inning. He appeared to have injured his left leg.
The Pirates snapped a four-game losing streak, while the Cubs lost for the first time in four games.
Friday's series opener was suspended with the game tied at 3 after a second rain delay with one out in the top of the seventh inning lasted 1 hour, 52 minutes.
Neil Walker began the 11th with a one-out double off Wesley Wright (0-3), the last of nine Cubs pitchers. Wright then walked rookie Gregory Polanco and pinch-hitter Brent Morel to load the bases before Harrison singled to center. Tony Sanchez added a pinch-hit sacrifice fly.
Mark Melancon (3-4) pitched two scoreless innings for the win and rookie John Holdzkom finished for his first major league save.
Jose Tabata had two hits and drove in a run for the Pirates, who are trying to get into position for their second consecutive playoff appearance.
Chicago had won six in a row at Wrigley Field. Chris Valaika had three hits, including a tying RBI single in the fifth.
Harrison helped the Pirates get off to a nice start on Friday. He doubled and scored on a two-out throwing error by third baseman Luis Valbuena in the first. He also had a two-out RBI double in the fourth that gave Pittsburgh a 3-2 lead.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Pirates: RHP Charlie Morton is scheduled to pitch a simulated game on Tuesday. He was placed on the disabled list last month with a sports hernia in his right hip. "We need some more information before we can make an accurate read," manager Clint Hurdle said of his short-term prospects. ... C Russell Martin remained in the lineup after he turned his left ankle on a swing the previous day.
Cubs: C Welington Castillo was available for the second game after he was scratched on Friday due to tightness in his lower back. . LHP Tsuyoshi Wada, who pitched just 3 1-3 innings on Friday due to mild cramping in his left calf, reported no further problems and was expected to make his next scheduled start.
UP NEXT:
The Pirates send LHP Francisco Liriano (3-10, 3.91 ERA) to the mound against LHP Felix Doubront (1-0, 1.29 ERA) in Saturday's regularly scheduled game.
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