PITTSBURGH _ The Pirates wasted a strong start from right-hander Gerrit Cole, who allowed two hits and an unearned run in seven innings, and lost to the Chicago Cubs, 1-0, Tuesday at PNC Park.
On the heels of a 14-3 defeat in the series opener, the Pirates' bats stayed quiet despite a sterling effort from Cole. The Pirates (8-12) had five hits _ one of them belonged to Cole. The only run of the game scored after a throwing error by rookie second baseman Alen Hanson in the second inning, the latest in a string of costly defensive misplays by the Pirates recently.
The Cubs had two hits, and won.
The Cubs (12-8) will look for the series sweep Wednesday night at PNC Park, with their veteran left-hander Jon Lester opposing combustible Pirates rookie right-hander Tyler Glasnow.
Five days earlier, Cole was on the losing end of a 2-1 game in St. Louis. What's worse is what occurred Tuesday, a seven-inning performance in which he did not allow an earned run. Cole permitted only two hits _ a double and an infield single _ and struck out eight over seven innings. He did not walk a batter. He did not allow an earned run. Yet he was the loser.
Cole has experienced a consistent success against the Cubs. In 13 career starts against them, he has a 2.74 ERA, though Tuesday's result dropped him to 9-3 in those games.
Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks, the National League ERA leader last season, threw six scoreless innings. He allowed four hits, all singles, and two walks, striking out three.
The only baserunners against Cole in the first five innings were Addison Russell and Jason Heyward back-to-back in the second. Russell doubled, and Heyward bounced a grounder up the middle. Hanson handled the hop and fired wildly to first, allowing Russell to score.
Cole retired the next 12 Cubs hitters in order. He recorded two strikeouts in the first inning, three in the second and one apiece in the fifth and sixth. Kris Bryant broke the ice momentarily with a sixth-inning infield single to second base. He stole second but was stranded there.
The Pirates offense failed to find traction. They put two runners on base in the second before Hanson popped out and Cole hit an inning-ending grounder. Josh Harrison singled in the third and was caught stealing. Cole singled in the fifth but did not advance past first. Gregory Polanco struck a two-out single in the sixth and stole second, but Francisco Cervelli struck out.
Once Hendricks was replaced y right-hander Koji Uehara in the seventh, the Pirates appeared to have life. John Jaso doubled leading off and moved to third on Jordy Mercer's deep fly ball. Manager Clint Hurdle elected to bat Hanson rather than pinch-hit David Freese, the everyday third baseman given the day off Tuesday. Hanson saw four pitches and struck out.
With the would-be tying run still standing at third base, Hurdle pinch-hit rookie Jose Osuna for Cole, ending the ace's night after seven innings and 78 pitches. Osuna flied out to center field.
