Heyward’s 3-run homer sparks Cubs’ battering of the Pirates

Heyward’s 3-run homer sparks Cubs’ battering of the Pirates

April 26, 2017
Chicago Cubs center fielder Jason Heyward (22) drives in a run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the second inning at PNC Park. — Reuters
Chicago Cubs center fielder Jason Heyward (22) drives in a run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the second inning at PNC Park. — Reuters

NEW YORK — The Chicago Cubs scored early and often against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night, cruising to a 14-3 victory at PNC Park.

The Cubs battered Pirates starter Chad Kuhl and led 10-1 after two innings. Jason Heyward hit a three-run homer and had four RBIs, and Addison Russell had four of the Cubs' 17 hits. Kris Bryant and Miguel Montero each collected three hits. Kuhl (1-2) lasted 1 2/3 innings, giving up nine runs and eight hits while walking four.

White Sox 12, Royals 1

Matt Davidson homered and drove in four runs, and Miguel Gonzalez allowed only two hits in eight innings as Chicago handed Kansas City its fifth straight loss.

Davidson capped Chicago's eight-run sixth inning with a two-run single after he drove in a run with a single earlier in the inning. Tyler Saladino also tripled in two runs before Todd Frazier followed with a two-run double. Tim Anderson, who had three hits, also had an RBI single in the inning.

Rockies 8, Nationals 4

Charlie Blackmon hit a go-ahead two-run homer as Colorado overcame a three-run deficit and beat Washington, ending its seven-game winning streak.

The Rockies pulled away with a three-run eighth inning, a rally that began with five straight singles off Blake Treinen. The spree included an RBI from Trevor Story on a broken-bat hit and Tony Wolters' third single.
Blackmon picked up his third RBI of the game by grounding into a run-scoring force play to boost the lead to 8-4.

Twins 3, Rangers 2

Phil Hughes limited the damage early, and Brian Dozier delivered the big blow in Minnesota's win over Texas at Globe Life Park.

The Twins won for only the second time in eight games and snapped Texas' season-high four-game winning streak in the opener of a three-game series.

Orioles 6, Rays 3

Adam Jones went 3-for-3 and capped the perfect night with a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning that helped Baltimore top Tampa Bay.
The Orioles banged out three homers off Chris Archer, all of them in the sixth and seventh innings. Archer (3-1) had not allowed a homer this season before that.

Brewers 11, Reds 7

Eric Thames continued his torrid start to the season by blasting two home runs and driving in three to lead Milwaukee over Cincinnati.

Thames leads the majors with 10 homers, matching Milwaukee's franchise record for April. He also set a club record for runs scored in April with 24.

Angels 2, Blue Jays 1

Jesse Chavez gave up one run in six innings and got help from three relievers as Los Angeles held on for a victory over Toronto at Angel Stadium.

Chavez gave up a solo homer to Russell Martin in the fourth inning but nothing more as the Angels and Blue Jays split the four-game series.

Bud Norris pitched the ninth for his second save and David Hernandez, acquired earlier in the day in a trade with the Atlanta Braves, got two outs in the eighth inning in his Angels debut.

Giants 2, Dodgers 1

Matt Cain pitched six shutout innings and teamed with four relievers on a four-hitter, delivering San Francisco a victory over Los Angeles in the opener of a four-game series.

Joe Panik and Hunter Pence drove in runs for the Giants, who staggered home from a 1-4 trip on which they were outscored 29-10.

Cain, whose 5.64 ERA was the eighth highest in the majors last season among pitchers with more than 15 starts, threw his third consecutive strong game, allowing only two hits and one walk. He struck out three.

Diamondbacks 7, Padres 6

Chris Owings hit a grand slam, and David Peralta also homered as Arizona equaled the best home start in franchise history with a victory over San Diego at Chase Field.

Arizona is 9-2 at home and leads the majors with 112 runs. The Diamondbacks did not win their ninth home game last season until May 29. Owings' slam in the fifth inning gave Arizona a 6-0 lead and helped Zack Greinke avenge a 1-0 complete-game loss at San Diego last Wednesday. — Reuters


April 26, 2017
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