Cubs Recap: Jake Arrieta helps himself out with home run in win vs Pirates

Cubs salvage series behind Arrieta’s gem

Jake Arrieta helped out his own cause by launching his second home run to right-center field and took a perfect game into the seventh inning as the Chicago Cubs would go on to defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates by the final score of 4-0.

Arrieta (21-6, 1.82 ERA) was given a one-run lead during the bottom half of the very first inning after recording two strikeouts to open up the evening on ESPN. Kris Bryant knocked in center fielder Dexter Fowler from second base with one out on the first pitch of the at-bat.

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Bryant’s opening RBI brings his season total to 99 on the year as he continues to not only cement the N.L. Rookie of the Year award, but throws his name in the mix for N.L. MVP honors.

After Addison Russell popped out to shortstop Jordy Mercer for the first out of the second, Arrieta jumped all over the second pitch of his at-bat on a 89 miles per hour sinker that extended Chicago’s (90-65) lead to 2-0.

Pittsburgh (95-61) would be held to only one hit on the night between both Arrieta and Wood who gave up only one walk while racking up 12 strikeouts.

We’ll fast forward to the seventh inning which took nearly an hour to complete and Fowler on first again following a single.

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Pinch-hitter Austin Jackson entered the game for Kyle Schwarber and worked himself a six-pitch walk, but Antonio Bastardo and Francisco Cervelli thought the fourth called ball was only the third of the at-bat.

Once the umpire crew came together and confirmed that it was, indeed, the fourth ball was taken, Bryant and Rizzo each flown out for the first two outs.

With reliever Arquimedes Caminero behind 2-1 in the count to Chicago’s second baseman Starlin Castro, the 25-year-old veteran turned a fourth pitch fastball and sent it out to deep left field.

The original call by the third base umpire was a three-run homer, but yet again, the crew came together after Pirates skipper Clint Hurdle called for another review.

It looked as if Castro got all of it until the ball hit the top of the basket out in left and dropped into the field of play. Still, Castro was credited with two RBI as both Fowler and Jackson came around to score, making it 4-0.

The Cubs will welcome in the A.L. Central Champions Kansas City Royals for a make-up game tomorrow evening. Kyle Hendricks will take the mound opposite Yordano Ventura at 7:05 p.m. central time.

Next: Anthony Rizzo is the N.L. MVP