Harrison leads Pirates past Cubs

PIRATES TAKE 2 OF 3 FROM CUBS

The Pittsburgh Pirates (79-70) maintained their 1 1/2 game lead for the second wildcard spot in a 7-3 win over the Cubs on Sunday afternoon and it was none other than Josh Harrison providing a spark in the field and at the plate.

The Pirates rallied from a 3-0 deficit, scoring the games final seven runs, including a six-run, fifth inning.

Harrison provided the spark, turning a 5-4-3 triple play in the fourth inning and minutes later Harrison hit a 2-run double in the fifth, tying the game at 3-3 that triggered the six-run, fifth inning.

“It was definitely the tipping point of the game,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said on the Pirates triple play that gave the Pirates.

The NL batting leader with a .317 average, Harrison went 2-5 with 2 RBI, and a double in the win.

PIRATES TO HAVE THREE PLAYERS IN TOP-10 IN MVP VOTING?

Andrew McCutchen – WAR (5.7, 6th in NL)

Russell Martin – WAR (5.0, 9th in NL)

Josh Harrison – WAR (4.9, 10 in NL)

Boston Red Sox (66-84)

9/17 – PIT Charlie Morton (5-12) vs Anthony Ranaudo (3-2)

Morton makes his first start since August 15 and was 0-3 with a 5.73 ERA in six starts after the All-Star Break. Ranaudo enters Tuesday’s start with five career starts. Ranaudo has lost his last two starts, after winning his first three starts. Ranaudo lasted just 3 1/3 innings, allowing 6 hits and 4 runs in a Boston 4-1 loss to the Orioles on Tuesday.

9/18 – PIT Francisco Liriano (5-10) vs BOS Clay Buchholz (8-8)

Liriano is coming off a dominant outing vs the Phillies, striking out 12 and throwing 8 shutout innings. Buchholz enters Wednesday’s game winning his last three starts, allowing 2 earned runs or less in all three starts.

9/19 – PIT Gerrit Cole (9-5) vs Brandon Workman (1-9)

Cole has won consecutive starts. He is 2-1 with a 4.31 in five starts since returning from injury. Workman has lost 9 of his last 10 decisions and is 0-6 with a 7.28 ERA since the All-Star break.