Cubs vs. Pirates Postgame

     Cubs Win! Cubs Win! As expected, it was a very intense game in Pittsburgh this past evening. PNC park was incredibly loud and both teams were amped up and ready to play by the first pitch. It was expected to be a close pitching matchup with few runs, if any, scored while the starters were still working. However, this was not the case.

      Gerrit Cole was on the mound for the Pirates and he struggled early. Cole gave up the game's first hit to the first batter, Dexter Fowler. Kyle Schwarber followed up with an RBI single after Fowler stole second base. Then in the second inning, Fowler again had a hit into the outfield. But this time, Schwarber followed up with a complete bomb to over the right field seats and out of the stadium. Schwarber's home run really opened up the game for Jake Arrieta. With a three run lead, Arrieta was sure to hold on to his lead.

Jake Arrieta had his stuff going through the first couple of innings, only allowing one hit through 5 innings.Then in the 6th inning, the Pirates were threatening with the bases loaded and their cleanup hitter up to bat. Down 4 runs, Starlin Marte had the opportunity to tie the ball game with one swing. Instead he hit a ground ball to shortstop Addison Russel for an inning ending double play. The double play really took the wind out if the Pirate's sails as they didn't get much going after that. Then again, who knows, if Addison Russel doesn't stop that ball and turn two, do the Pirates go on to win?

      There was a humorous moment in the 7th inning when Arrieta stole second base following a scuffle. The scuffle was a result of a pitch from Tony Watson that hit Arrieta. The pitch looked intentional considering that Arrieta had previously hit two of the Pittsburgh batters. Nevertheless, a benches clearing scuffle ensued, words were spoken, punches thrown, and finally the game started up again. This is when Arrieta stole second base rather humorously before the inning ended anyways on a Fowler strikeout. Nothing important really happened in the 7th inning, but it was still enjoyable to watch.

     Long story short, it was a fun game to watch, for Cubs fans at least. The Cubs will go on to face the MLB best, St. Louis Cardinals, in the next, best out of three series.