Matt Garza shines as Chicago Cubs defeat Pittsburgh Pirates 1-0 - MLB Update
Chicago Cubs’ starting pitcher, Matt Garza displayed an amazing performance as he threw seven shut-out innings with an ERA of 3.78 and gave the Cubs a 1-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, Pittsburgh on August 3.
The pitchers seemed to be more loyal to their discipline as compared to the batters and did not consent any run in the first seven innings of the game. During the second inning, Carlos Pena doubled to left-field while the rest of his team-mates were grounded
out to third base and short-stop position without adding any run to the Cubs’ score-card.
Similarly, the Pirates’ batters also struggled with the bat as Michael McKenry had a walk in the third inning but at the left-field, Andrew McCutchen flied out as Garrett Jones struck-out. The Pirates missed some scoring chances during the fifth inning as
at the short-stop position, McKenry popped out and Charlie Morton struck-out. At the right-field, McCutchen flied out again, same as during the third inning.
In the sixth inning of the game, Starlin Castro drove a single-run shot towards left-field but at the right-field, Aramis Ramirez flied out and Marlon Byrd grounded out to second base. Later on, during the seventh inning, the Pirates looked powerless as
Pedro Alvarez singled off centre-field but Ronny Cedeno and Ryan Ludwick both flied out to right-field.
Garza said, “You just ride it. It is what it is. The game is going to treat you the way it's going to treat you. I know it'll come around in time and I'll have better luck. I understand they have my best interests in mind. I'm looking at the right-now factor.”
Cubs’ manager, Mike Quade said, “Matt Garza deserved this win. He had it coming. Matt has had a lot of tough luck but not today. The boys got him enough and the bullpen picked him up.”
Castro struck a decisive one-run homer (430 feet) towards left-centre to give the Cubs a persuasive 1-0 lead, at the top of the eighth inning. Ludwick sacrificed to first base during the ninth inning and Ryan Doumit hit for Cedeno but was struck-out swinging.
Garza surrendered just four hits and two walks in his seven inning pitches. He was able to strike-out seven batters on his 103 pitches.
After winning this thrilling encounter, the Cubs were leading the four-game series 3-0 at Pittsburgh.
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