Cubs Recap: Chicago pours it on in the fifth to beat Pirates 9-6

Cubs cut magic number down to nine in win

Starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks was tagged for four earned runs on three homers during the first three innings of the ballgame, but the Cubs would later explode for a six-run fifth in the 9-6 win over the Pirates.

Chicago (85-61) ended the first inning with a run, then extended their lead to three on RBI doubles by Addison Russell and Tommy La Stella in the second inning.

Veteran catcher Miguel Montero led off the frame with a leadoff single to right field and would score from first on Russell’s extra base knock to left fielder Travis Snider.

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Hendricks came up with the opportunity to advance his shortstop over to third, but Charlie Morton managed to get him to strike out on a bunt attempt.

After Kyle got catcher Francisco Cervelli to ground out to Kris Bryant, Snider clubbed his fourth home run of the season on the third pitch of the at-bat to cut the lead down to two runs.

The Pirates (87-59) came out swinging during the home half of the third inning when Gregory Polanco led off the frame with a line-drive homer to center field. Neil Walker was tagged on the second pitch of his at-bat and later advanced to third on a single by Jordy Mercer just moments later.

Mercer singled to Dexter Fowler out in center field but found himself in a run down when attempting to turn the play into extra bases.

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We’ll fast forward to the fifth inning when Anthony Rizzo slugged his 30th home run of the season to right field. It was a two-run shot that brought outfielder Chris Coghlan around to score with him.

Kris Bryant kept things going with a single to left field then Montero reached base safely on a fielding error by Pedro Alvarez at first. Bryant came around to score on Russell’s second RBI knock of the game and.

Clayton Richard came through with his second double of the season, pushing both Russell and Montero across to score to make it 8-4 in favor of the visiting club.

Tommy La Stella capped off the inning with a ground ball to Starling Marte that allowed Richard to score from second. This made it a five-run ballgame.

Pittsburgh fought back in the seventh on RBI hits from Polanco and Walker.

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