If the Pirates can take any solace in being swept by the Chicago Cubs, it is in the fact that Anthony Rizzo is out of town.
After the Pirates lost, 6-2, at PNC Park Wednesday, Rizzo had gone 7 for 14 with five doubles and a homer in the three-game series. He helped the Cubs improve to 20-6, and the three-game sweep dropped the Pirates’ record to 15-13. The Pirates have lost four in a row.
Eighteen of 27 Cubs leadoff batters reached base in the series, including the first three batters to lead off the first three innings in each game, which helps explain the fact that none of the Pirates’ starters pitched more than five innings.