Starlin Castro’s three-run homer seals 7-4 win for Cubs against the Pirates – MLB News
Starlin Castro smashed a three-run homer on Friday, September 13, to help the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-4 at Wrigley Field. The Cubs laid a solid foundation for the four-game series, handing the seventh consecutive defeat to the Pirates.
This was the Cubs’ fourth straight win against the Pirates, made possible by Chris Rusin’s five strong innings wherein he allowed only four hits and two runs, going for six strike-outs.
While Rusin was delighted with his and team’s overall performance, it was Starlin Castro who was lauded for his go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth that completely changed the outlook of the game.
"We all know what kind of hitter he is right now," Cubs' manager Dale Sveum said. "I was more impressed not by the home run, but by the adjustment he made. He went with no leg kick and no stride and hit a home run."
It was an equally tough game for James McDonald, the otherwise effective starter, as he gave up four runs in his 3.2 innings, allowing five hits.
"I didn't have any pitches today, but I've pitched in that situation where I didn't have any pitches before," McDonald said. "Walks are unacceptable. I had two outs, I should have gotten that out and been in the dugout."
Starlin Castro singled to centre to give the team a 1-0 lead in the third inning with Rusin being effective on the mound. Anthony Rizzo scored two-run double to right in the fourth to increase the lead to 3-0 for the Cubs, followed by Alfonso Soriano’s run which made it 4-0.
But the Pirates made a good return in the fifth and sixth inning, putting up a total of three runs on the table, bringing the lead down to 4-3. As the game entered into a competitive phase, Castro smashed the awaited three-run homer in the sixth, sealing the fate of the game.
Pirates' Andrew McCutchen hit a solo homer in the seventh to bring the lead down to 7-4, but Shawn Camp pitched a perfect eighth and Carlos Marmol a marvellous ninth to end the game with a 7-4 win for the Cubs.
Cubs now have a 1-0 lead in the four-game series whose second game will be played on Saturday.
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