Jake Arrieta's fastball freezes Pirates

Jake Arrieta recorded a season high in strikeouts Saturday, frequently paralyzing hitters with two-strike fastballs.By one measure, Jake Arrieta’s start against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday was one of his worst since he has been with the Chicago Cubs. But by another, it was perhaps his most dominant.

Arrieta gave up two earned runs in eight innings in the Cubs’ 8-2 win. That equates to a 2.25 ERA, his second-worst effort in nine starts he has made against the Pirates since the start of 2013.

ESPN Stats & InformationBut Arrieta had several moments when he overmatched Pirates hitters. He struck out a season-high 11, including six on called third strikes. All of the called strikeouts were…