The Chicago Cubs once again found themselves tied for the top spot in the NL Central on Wednesday night, but a new face from the trade deadline stepped up to help them rise up yet again. Cole Hamels made his team debut on the mound, throwing five shutout innings in the Cubs' 9-2 rout of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hamels struck out nine and walked two, needing 95 pitches to get through five and earn the victory. The Cubs acquired the left-hander in a trade with the Texas Rangers before Tuesday's trade deadline.
Hamels had one unearned run against him as he earned his sixth win of the season overall, and first with a National League team in over three years. The former World Series MVP began his career with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Willson Contreras supported his new teammate with three hits, including a home run and three RBI, while Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist added three hits apiece. Kyle Schwarber and Javier Baez each drove in two for the Cubs, who, for the time being, moved a half-game ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for the top spot in the division.
They also debuted another pitcher out of the bullpen, as former Washington National Brandon Kintzler threw 1.1 scoreless innings on his 34th birthday. He was acquired on deadline day and said he wants to use this as a fresh start after he was accused of leaking stuff from the Nats' locker room. He of course denies these allegations.
The Pirates suffered a rare loss as of late, despite Francisco Cervelli going 3-for-3 with an RBI and Starling Marte adding two hits. The loss was just their fifth in their past 21 games, as they move on to host the St. Louis Cardinals beginning on Thursday. The Cubs will return home to battle the lowly San Diego Padres that same night.
Hamels had one unearned run against him as he earned his sixth win of the season overall, and first with a National League team in over three years. The former World Series MVP began his career with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Willson Contreras supported his new teammate with three hits, including a home run and three RBI, while Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist added three hits apiece. Kyle Schwarber and Javier Baez each drove in two for the Cubs, who, for the time being, moved a half-game ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for the top spot in the division.
They also debuted another pitcher out of the bullpen, as former Washington National Brandon Kintzler threw 1.1 scoreless innings on his 34th birthday. He was acquired on deadline day and said he wants to use this as a fresh start after he was accused of leaking stuff from the Nats' locker room. He of course denies these allegations.
The Pirates suffered a rare loss as of late, despite Francisco Cervelli going 3-for-3 with an RBI and Starling Marte adding two hits. The loss was just their fifth in their past 21 games, as they move on to host the St. Louis Cardinals beginning on Thursday. The Cubs will return home to battle the lowly San Diego Padres that same night.
