Jacob Turner, Cubs fall to Pirates 7-3 in series finale

Yesterday’s victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates was short-lived as the Bucs hammered the Chicago Cubs for six runs during the bottom of the fifth inning in the 7-3 series finale this afternoon.

Neil Walker led the charge for the Pirates (79-70), hitting a solo bomb to dead center to cut into Chicago’s 3-0 lead then later doubled to drive in Travis Snider. Snider and Josh Harrison both hit back-to-back doubles during the same frame, giving the Pirates a 4-3 lead until it was extended by two runs shortly after scoring.

Chicago (65-84) received its 3-0 run support during the second and third innings as Matt Sczcur singled on a ground ball, and Chris Coghlan and John Baker were credited with a sacrifice fly each.

The Pirates managed to turn Jacob Turner‘s outing into a short one, knocking him out of the game after 4 1/3 innings of work. Turner (5-10, 6.20 ERA) was hammered for seven earned runs on seven hits, while issuing three walks, one strikeout, and giving up the long-ball to Walker in the fourth.

Chicago fell apart after the fourth inning when rookie outfielder Matt Sczcur grounded into a triple play. Sczcur, who hit his first Major League home run during Saturday night’s win, hit a sharp ground ball to Josh Harrison who started the triple play. It was a waste of an opportunity with runners in scoring position as Chris Valaika led off the inning with a double to right field, and Mike Olt reached first after drawing a walk.

Left-handed reliever Eric Jokisch took over for Turner in the fourth and put in a couple innings of work under his belt – holding the home team to just five hits with two strikeouts, dropping his ERA from 2.08 down to 1.29.

Veteran pitcher Edinson Volquez, who has had quite a bit of success against the Cubs in his career, worked into the seventh inning before he was relieved of his duties on the mound. Volquez (12-7, 3.27 ERA) held the Cubs to four hits, three runs –just one earned – while issuing five walks but struck out five as well.

Next up, the Cubs will take on the Cincinnati Reds (71-79), as Alfredo Simon (14-10, 3.48 ERA) takes on Travis Wood (8-12, 5.03 ERA) with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT.