Pittsburgh Pirates Series review vs. Chicago Cubs

Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Game Two: Francisco Liriano (11-7, 3.41ERA) vs. Jason Hammel (9-6, 3.79ERA)

Result: Pirates win 4-0

Winning Pitcher: Francisco Liriano (12-7, 3.27ERA)

Losing Pitcher: Jason Hammel (9-7, 3.86ERA)

• What went right:
  • Francisco Liriano was absolutely filthy. He completely dominated the Cubs’ young batters and made them look like a bunch of rookies. He went 7.2 innings, allowed 0 runs on four hits and struck out nine.
  • Jordy Mercer continued to swing a really hot bat in the place of the injured Jung Ho Kang. He went 1-4, but hit the deciding three-run home run. That offense was all the Pirates needed.
  • Francisco Cervelli reached base three times as he went 2-3 with a walk and two runs scored.
  • Sean Rodriguez provided an insurance run in eighth inning with a pinch-hit RBI double.

• What went wrong:
  • Kris Bryant reached base three times as he went 2-3 with a walk.
  • Pirates as a team only went 2-12 with runners in scoring position. Never got the hit to really put the game away.
  • Once Jason Hammel left the game, the Cubs bullpen pretty much shut the Pirates’ offense down.

Frankie was filthy in securing a series victory for the Pirates, they looked to complete the sweep but would have to conquer the hottest pitcher on the planet to do it.

Next: Game Three: Burnett vs. Arrieta