JT Brubaker's 3 RBIs lead Pirates hit parade vs. Cubs

For as much as JT Brubaker loves to sling it, the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander also enjoys every chance he gets to swing it.

While Brubaker kept the Chicago Cubs in check with his arm, he put the Pirates ahead with one swing of the bat. Six days after Brubaker got his first major league hit against the Cubs, he became the first MLB pitcher in four years to have three RBIs in a game.

Brubaker hit a two-run single in the second inning to give the Pirates the lead, then drove in another run in the third as they beat the Cubs, 7-1, on Sunday afternoon before 6,851 at PNC Park.

“It was a welcome surprise, that’s for sure,” Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings said of Brubaker’s go-ahead hit. “It was a big swing. Obviously, it gave us some separation, gave us the lead. It was a big play in the game, one that you can’t really take for granted because it obviously turned out to be the difference-maker.”

Brubaker allowed one run on four hits, with four walks, two hit batsman and four strikeouts while throwing 74 pitches over 5 1/3 innings. He became the first pitcher with three RBIs since former Pirate Tyler Glasnow had a two-run single and drew a bases-loaded walk in a 12-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds on May 2, 2017.

The Pirates pounded the Cubs for 14 hits, including 10 off former teammate Trevor Williams, to win back-to-back games for the first time and claim their first series of the season. Bryan Reynolds went 4 for 5 for his third career four-hit game, Stallings went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk and Phillip Evans added a pair of singles.

The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when shortstop Javier Baez hit Brubaker’s 2-0 slider 410 feet to straightaway center for his third home run of the season.

The Pirates answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning as Dustin Fowler doubled to score Gregory Polanco. Fowler was called out while sliding into second, but after a 57-second review it was overturned in the first of two successful challenges by the Pirates.

Brubaker hit a two-run single down the right-field line for his first career RBIs and a 3-1 Pirates lead.

“I was just trying to put the ball in play,” Brubaker said. “At least get an RBI there and help myself out. Luckily, I was able to put it down the first-base line and keep it fair.”

Things got chippy in the third, when Brubaker hit Cubs catcher Willson Contreras in the back. Contreras glared toward the mound and carried his bat as he walked down the first-base line, kicking it with his spikes.

Anthony Rizzo grounded to Colin Moran, who threw to shortstop Kevin Newman to force Contreras out at second. Contreras slid wide of the bag to break up Newman’s throw, which sailed wide of Brubaker at first.

The Pirates asked for a review and won a second challenge.

“It was a good, aggressive slide. I just don’t think he touched the bag,” Shelton said, “and because of it, they called him out on interference, which was extremely important for us.”

Rizzo was called out for runner’s interference because Contreras “failed to engage in a bona fide slide” and impeded the throw. Instead of the Cubs scoring one run and having a runner at second, the inning ended following a 1-minute, 18-second review.

Shelton credited Pirates video coordinator Kevin Roach, who collaborated with bench coach Don Kelly, for his quick review.

“The biggest challenge of the challenge — which, I don’t know if you can say that — is it’s 20 seconds,” Shelton said. “It’s very quick, and he has to make a decision. … He did a really nice job today. He made two good calls today that helped us win a ballgame, so give him some props.”

The Pirates loaded the bases in the third when Newman singled, Stallings drew a walk and Fowler was hit by a pitch. Brubaker added to his RBI total with a grounder to second that forced Fowler out at second but scored Newman for a 4-1 lead.

When Brubaker hit Kris Bryant with a pitch to start the fourth, Cubs coach Mike Borzello was ejected for arguing with home plate umpire and crew chief Greg Gibson.

Evans continued his hot hitting with a single to start the fourth and scored on a single by Moran to make it 5-1. Williams was pulled after allowing five runs in 3 1/3 innings in his return to PNC Park after being designated for assignment in November and electing free agency.

The Pirates added two more runs in the seventh for a 7-1 lead when Wilmer Difo homered to right off Ryan Tepera. It was Difo’s first career pinch-hit homer. And, as was appropriate for this day, it came while batting in the No. 9 spot for the pitcher.

“Obviously, Bru was using the whole field,” Shelton said. “He threw one right inside the first-base line, which was awesome. He made contact. I think that was the important thing. It wasn’t hard contact, but he made contact and beat a ball into the ground, and we were able to score another run, which was outstanding. Any time you get your pitcher to contribute offensively, it’s a really good thing. And then Difo came off the bench and got one off and got one over the fence, which was a nice little added bonus to stretch out a little bit.”