NATE BARNES
Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Chicago Cubs’ century-plus failure to win the World Series will go on for at least one more year.
Josh Harrison started Pittsburgh’s first triple play at home in 21 years and hit a tying two-run double in a six-run fifth inning Sunday that helped the Pirates rally past the Cubs 7-3.
“I don’t allow our guys to put their heads down,” Cubs manager Rick Renteria said. “That was just a play that happened. At that point, we were still in the lead.”
Pittsburgh improved to 14-5 against Chicago this year, winning all six series. The last-place Cubs (65-84) have not won the World Series since 1908 and haven’t even reached the postseason since 2008.
Chicago led 3-0 in the fourth when Chris Valaika doubled leading off and Mike Olt walked. Matt Szczur grounded to third. and Harrison started an around-the-horn 5-4-3 triple play, throwing to second baseman Neil Walker, who relayed to first baseman Andrew Lambo.
“You could feel the tide turn when we had the triple play,” Harrison said. “You don’t want to take the approach of trying to get them all back at once but you definitely want to take advantage of the momentum.”
Pittsburgh had not turned a triple play since April 12, 2009, against Cincinnati’s Edwin Encarnacion by left fielder Jack Wilson, second baseman Freddy Sanchez and first baseman Adam LaRoche. The Pirates had not accomplished the feat at home since Aug. 10, 1993, at Three Rivers Stadium against St. Louis by shortstop Jay Bell, second baseman Carlos Garcia and first baseman Kevin Young, who doubled up future Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith.
Edinson Volquez (12-7) allowed three runs — one earned — four hits and five walks in seven innings, improving to 4-0 in his last 10 starts.
Jacob Turner (5-10) gave up seven runs, seven hits and three walks in 4 1-3 innings.
Chicago went ahead in the second on a run-scoring throwing error by Volquez and John Baker’s sacrifice fly, then made it 3-0 in the third on Chris Coghlan’s sacrifice fly after catcher Russell Martin’s throwing error on Javier Baez’s steal of second.
Walker hit his 20th homer in the fourth. After Harrison’s double, Travis Snider and Walker hit RBI doubles, and Gaby Sanchez and Gregory Polanco added run-scoring singles.
Jordy Mercer had fallen behind 0-2 in the count leading off the inning before reaching on an infield hit, and Turner walked Polanco.
“I kind of walked myself into the big inning,” Turner said. “Those two at-bats were really what killed me in that inning.”
UP NEXT
Cubs: Chicago hosts Cincinnati in a three-game series, with LHP Travis Wood (8-12) opposing Reds RHP Alfredo Simon (14-10).
Pirates: Pittsburgh continues its final homestand of the regular season with three game games Boston. RHP Charlie Morton is set to start for the Pirates on Tuesday. Morton was placed on the 15-day DL on Aug. 17 with right hip inflammation, two days after he lasted three innings against Washington. RHP Anthony Ranaudo is slated for Boston (3-2).
TRIPLED UP
The previous Cubs’ player to get tripled up was Henry Rodriguez, who hit into a 3-6-2 triple play in a 16-15 loss to the Montreal Expos on May 14, 2000.
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