Liriano leads Pirates past Cubs
Associated Press
CHICAGO
The Pittsburgh Pirates are doing exactly what they hoped to do against the Chicago Cubs.
Now they are eyeing St. Louis, with a big series coming up against the Cardinals.
“We have to continue to play the way we’re playing right now,” Francisco Liriano said. “We’re not done yet.”
Liriano pitched four-hit ball into the eighth inning Saturday, and the Pirates beat the playoff-bound Cubs 4-0 for their eighth straight victory.
Liriano (12-7) struck out nine, giving him 200 on the year, and walked three over 72/3 innings. Jordy Mercer had a three-run homer off Jason Hammel (9-7), and the Pirates picked up their 95th victory, their highest total since 1992.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt that everybody who plays the game wants to play their best baseball at the end,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “It’s something we talk about organizationally.”
Pittsburgh leads Chicago by 51/2 games for the top wild card with a chance to complete a weekend sweep on Sunday. The Pirates then open a three-game series Monday against St. Louis, the team they trailed by three games for the NL Central lead when the day began.
Despite the loss, the Cubs had plenty to celebrate Saturday. They secured their first playoff appearance since 2008 Friday night when Oakland beat San Francisco, after enduring five straight losing seasons and a major overhaul under president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer.
Fans cheered a pregame video tribute and players tipped their caps. The Cubs really cut loose after the game.
The smell of sparkling wine and the blaring music were impossible to miss in the clubhouse afterward.
Players and coaches went back onto the field and doused each other. Fans chanted “Thank you, Tom! Thank you, Tom!” at a drenched chairman Tom Ricketts.
The last to leave the field was manager Joe Maddon, wearing a 2015 postseason cap and a towel draped around his neck. He waved to fans chanting “Joe! Joe! Joe!” as he exited.
“Our guys deserve this,” president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said. “And frankly, it would have been out of personality not to celebrate in a big way despite the circumstances. They deserve it. I’m proud of them.”