The Pittsburgh Pirates had (past tense operative) been playing better of late (they were on an 8-2 stretch) and were four games above .500 heading into their three-game set with their division rival Chicago Cubs, but they took a pounding that ended in a sweep following Thursday night’s 7-2 defeat by the Cubbies to drop the Pirates to 34-33 on the year.
Johan Oviedo got the start for the Buccos, and though he struck out eight batters in just four and a third innings, he also gave up four runs on eight hits and has now lost his last two starts to fall to 3-6 on the season.