Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (Simulated Game 31): Pirates 8, Cubs 0 – Anthony Rizzo Takes Mound in Relief

The Chicago Cubs’ (19-12) hot streak was due to come to an end and it did in spectacular fashion Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates (10-21), resulting in a split of the editor-induced doubleheader. Pittsburgh jumped all over Kyle Hendricks early and never looked back, cruising to an easy win at Wrigley, via MLB The Show 20.

Adam Frazier doubled, Josh Bell tripled, and Jose Osuna singled to put the road team ahead 3-0 after the 1st. Things didn’t get much better for the Cubs in the 2nd as Frazier and Bryan Reynolds knocked in two more runs. Hendricks settled down after that, but the damage was done.

Meanwhile, the Cubs offense could do nothing against Joe Musgrove in six strong frames. To add insult to the lack of offense, Derek Holland, briefly a Cubs reliever in 2019, kept them off the board for two more innings. The Pirates would add three more runs against Alec Mills and Ryan Tepera to bring the score to 8-0.

Manager David Ross rewarded those fans who stuck around for the late innings with some position player pitching, given the score and the need to save the bullpen. Josh Phegley, Victor Caratini and Anthony Rizzo all took the mound in the blowout. Phegley had some serious stuff, striking out the side in the 7th inning to earn a healthy roar from those remaining at the Friendly Confines.

Notes: The Cubs are just 6-4 against the lowly Pirates so far in 2020. Neither Rizzo or Caratini have allowed a run in multiple relief appearances. The Cubs only extra base hit was a Jason Kipnis double in the 2nd inning.

Key Players:

Bote – 1-for-3, BB
Kipnis – 1-for-3, BB
Phegley – 1 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 ER, 3 K
Rizzo – 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 ER, 1 K
Frazier – 3-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI
Reynolds – 2-for-4, 2B, RBI
Osuna – 2-for-4, BB, RBI
Musgrove – 6 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 0 ER, 6 K

Winning Pitcher – Musgrove (2-3)
Losing Pitcher – Hendricks (2-3)
Save – none
Home Runs – none