Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (4/23/22): Cubs 21, Pirates 0 – Three Touchdowns Bury Visitors
The Cubs were frustrated after two consecutive losses to a lousy Pirates team and they took those frustrations out on their division rival with an epic rout at a sun-splashed Wrigley Field Saturday.
Ian Happ put the Cubs ahead with a run-scoring single in the 1st but the real damage came the following inning. Chicago would score eight runs in that frame with the help of two Pirates errors and a massive three-run home run from Alfonso Rivas.
A 9-0 lead was more than enough for Kyle Hendricks, who pitched great on Saturday. The Cubs did not let up, adding 11 more runs as every member of the starting lineup got in on the action. It was pretty much a dream scenario in the 21-0 victory. (Box score)
Why the Cubs Won
Your odds of winning are pretty high when you score 21 runs in a game. It was the most the Cubs have scored in a game since 1996.
Key Moment
Shortstop Kevin Newman committed an error on a potential double play off the bat of Happ in the 2nd inning. The Cubs proceeded to score five more runs and the game was out of reach.
Stats That Matter
- Kind of a weird line for Hendricks with just two strikeouts: 7 IP, 0 R, 2 H, and 0 BB.
- Nico Hoerner had a huge game with four hits for the first time in his career.
- Seiya Suzuki is back after his mini-slump with his first three-hit game, including a double.
- Willson Contreras also finally came through with men on base and drove in three runs with three hits.
Bottom Line
That big win sure felt good to watch and I’m sure it was fun for the players as well. That being said, it’s only one game and the Cubs still need to win Sunday just to split.
On Deck
The Cubs look to even the series Sunday at 1:20pm CT. Justin Steele takes on JT Brubaker in a game airing on Marquee Sports Network and 670 The Score.