ROBERT QUESENBERRY
Associated Press
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs started the day with three runs. They finished with the same amount.
The Cubs lost 5-3 to Pittsburgh in 11 innings on Saturday in the resumption of the suspended series opener, and then managed just six hits in a 5-0 loss to the Pirates in their regularly scheduled matchup.
Playing without injured All-Stars Anthony Rizzo and shortstop Starlin Castro, the last-place Cubs had no answer for the Pirates’ pitching staff.
“Those guys are really important pieces of the team,” manager Rick Renteria said. “Today, quite frankly we just didn’t do very much offensively.”
Rizzo missed his 11th straight game with a lower back strain, and Castro has been sidelined for three games with a left ankle sprain. Both sluggers could be gone for the year, but the Cubs are 22-17 since July 28.
“(The Cubs) have been swinging the bats,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “We’ve watched the videotape. We made pitches. We stayed away from the big inning.”
In the second game, Felix Doubront (1-1) lost his Wrigley Field debut in his second appearance since he was acquired in a July 30 trade with Boston. He allowed two runs and five hits in five innings.
Pittsburgh left-hander Francisco Liriano (4-10) struck out nine in six innings. He allowed three hits and walked two in his first win since July 29.
“They’re young, but they’re pretty good hitters, most of them,” Liriano said. “I know they wanted to swing the bat. I wanted to be patient and not throw the ball too far over the plate.”
Three of those strikeouts came at the expense of touted Cubs rookie Javier Baez, who struck out seven times in nine at-bats over the first two games of the series. He has struck out 58 times in 132 at-bats in the majors.
“I don’t see him pressing,” Renteria said. “I just think he’s away from an approach that gives him a chance to have some success.”
Andrew McCutchen had three hits in the second game for the Pirates, who improved to 11-4 against the Cubs this year. Jordy Mercer hit an RBI single in the first and a leadoff homer in the ninth.
Friday’s series opener was suspended by rain with one out in the top of the seventh inning.
Neil Walker began the 11th with a one-out double off Wesley Wright (0-3), the last of nine Cubs pitchers. Wright then walked rookie Gregory Polanco and pinch-hitter Brent Morel to load the bases before Josh Harrison singled to center. Tony Sanchez added a pinch-hit sacrifice fly.
Mark Melancon (3-4) pitched two scoreless innings for the win and rookie John Holdzkom finished for his first major league save. Harrison finished with four hits and two RBIs, but did not play in the second game due to a left ankle injury.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pirates: RHP Charlie Morton is scheduled to pitch a simulated game on Tuesday. He was placed on the disabled list last month with a sports hernia in his right hip. … C Russell Martin finished the suspended game after he turned his left ankle on a swing the previous day. Chris Stewart started the nightcap.
Cubs: Rizzo will accompany the team on the road next week, but there is no timetable for his return. . C Welington Castillo started the second game after he was scratched on Friday due to tightness in his lower back.
UP NEXT
Pirates RHP Gerrit Cole (7-5, 3.86 ERA) will oppose Cubs LHP Travis Wood (8-11, 4.81 ERA) in the series finale Sunday.
RAIN MEN
This season the Cubs played 17 games with rain delays that totaled 24 hours, 38 minutes.
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