PITTSBURGH -- In a matchup between the two top teams in the National League Central, the Cubs' 6-2 win over the Pirates on Wednesday completed a three-game sweep at PNC Park. Chicago's recipe for success includes a key component -- outstanding pitching.
The Cubs allowed only five runs in the series. In three straight days, right-handers Jason Hammel and Jake Arrieta and lefty Jon Lester handcuffed the Pirates' offense.
"We pitched really well, and we've done that the whole year," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "The offense was good again, but the part that permits the offense to get into the flow of the game is the pitching has been so good.