Priester’s Homecoming Spoiled by Cubs; Pirates Clobbered 14-1

For the first time as a major leaguer, Quinn Priester took the mound in his hometown against the Chicago Cubs, but there wasn’t much cause for celebration.

The Cubs (79-72) slugged four home runs and routed the Pittsburgh Pirates by a score of 14-1 on Tuesday night.

Recap

The Pirates (70-81) found themselves in an early deficit when Dansby Swanson connected on a two-run homer off of Bailey Falter (2-9) two batters into the game.

Priester entered the game in relief of Falter in the second and allowed four runs in 6.0 innings.

Patrick Wisdom doubled off the wall in center to put Chicago up 3-0. Later in the inning, Nico Hoerner lifted a fly ball to right. Pirates right fielder Henry Davis made a strong throw home, but catcher Endy Rodriguez couldn’t handle it and Wisdom scored on the sacrifice fly.

Seiya Suzuki hit a solo home run off of Prietser in the bottom of the third inning for the Cubs (79-72).

In the sixth inning, Alexander Canario lined one to left field. Left fielder Bryan Reynolds slipped, allowing Canario to record his first big league hit and RBI to put the Cubs up 6-1.

Canario later hit a grand slam in the eighth off of Pirates’ reliever Kyle Nicolas, who was making his major league debut.

Later in the inning, Cody Bellinger connected on a three-run homer off of Jose Hernandez to put Chicago ahead by a dozen and a pinch-hit RBI triple for Jared Young gave the Cubs their 14th and final run of the game.

In the top of the third inning, Ke’Bryan Hayes hit an opposite-field home run, his 14th of the season, to get the Pirates on the board. Hayes finished the night 2 for 4.

Cubs starting pitcher Javier Assad (4-3) struck out a career-high eight batters and held the Pirates to one run in his 5.0 innings.

Key Moment 

Swanson’s home run was all the Cubs needed to take down the Pirates and their lifeless offense on Tuesday.

Star of the Game

Canario homered, doubled, drove in five runs and scored a run for the Cubs.

Stat to Know

Ian Happ reached on an infield single in the third inning and has now reached base safely in 57 consecutive starts against the Pirates.

Noteworthy

• With a one-out single in the second inning, Henry Davis snapped an 0-for-21 streak at the plate, dating back to before he landed on the injured list.
• The Pirates fell to 1-10 against the Cubs this year and haven’t won a game at Wrigley since last May 18, dropping five in a row.
• The start of the game was delayed for 1 hour and 25 minutes due to rain, and they’re probably hoping it was postponed.
• The Pirates selected the contract of Nicolas from Triple-A Indianapolis and optioned Thomas Hatch. Andrew McCutchen was transferred to the 60-day IL.

Up Next

The Pirates and Cubs will continue their three-game series on Wednesday night. The Pirates haven’t announced their starting pitcher yet, but they’ll go against left-hander Justin Steele (16-4, 2.73 ERA). First pitch: 7:40 ET.