Rizzo leads Cubs past Phillies in offensive explosion
The Chicago Cubs were impressive in a huge MLB win, while Gerrit Cole delivered for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday.
The Cubs torched the hapless Philadelphia Phillies for 17 runs thanks to six home runs in a 17-2 thrashing.
Anthony Rizzo and Tommy La Stella collected two home runs apiece, while Kris Bryant and Ben Zobrist each hit one. Rizzo also drove in five runs.
On the mound, Kyle Hendricks allowed just two earned runs in seven innings, with eight strikeouts. Hendricks, who has battled injury this season, improved to 5-4 with a 3.45 ERA this season.
‘Tony’ Two Times. pic.twitter.com/0NN6dEWWTN
— MLB (@MLB) August 27, 2017
SATURDAY'S RESULTS
Seattle Mariners 3-6 New York Yankees
Minnesota Twins 9-10 Toronto Blue Jays
Baltimore Orioles 7-0 Boston Red Sox
New York Mets 4-9 Washington Nationals
Texas Rangers 3-8 Oakland Athletics
Pittsburgh Pirates 1-0 Cincinnati Reds
Chicago Cubs 17-2 Philadelphia Phillies
Colorado Rockies 7-6 Atlanta Braves
Detroit Tigers 6-3 Chicago White Sox
San Diego Padres 1-2 Miami Marlins
Kansas City Royals 0-4 Cleveland Indians
Tampa Bay Rays 4-6 St Louis Cardinals
San Francisco Giants 1-2 Arizona Diamondbacks
Houston Astros 6-7 Los Angeles Angels
Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 Los Angeles Dodgers
CLASSY COLE
Pirates ace Cole was masterful on the mound and at the plate in a 1-0 win over the Reds. Not only did Cole score the only run with a solo home run, he also tossed seven scoreless innings with six strikeouts. He became the only Pirates pitcher ever to hit a home run in a 1-0 win.
The Cole Train has left the yard. #PitchersWhoRake pic.twitter.com/Bf2c9pG5cS
— MLB (@MLB) August 27, 2017
RAYS BEATEN
Sent in to protect a 4-2 lead through seven innings, Tampa Bay's relievers allowed four earned runs to lose 6-4 against the Cardinals. Blake Snell struck out seven batters while allowing just two runs in seven innings, but Brad Boxberger and Tommy Hunter gave up two earned runs apiece to spoil his good outing.
AMAZING ZIMMER
Indians center fielder Bradley Zimmer leapt to make an amazing catch.
The Airborne @bzimmer5 Event. pic.twitter.com/BjBZ1ZnHXR
— MLB (@MLB) August 27, 2017
ORIOLES AT RED SOX
After a surprising one-hitter in his last start, Red Sox pitcher Doug Fister (3-6, 4.78 ERA) is back on the mound to face off against Wade Miley (7-10, 5.11 ERA). Boston currently have a slim 3.5-game lead over the Yankees in the American League East, after dropping three straight games.