Cubs gets spark from Swanson & Hoerner, Alzolay remains out with injury
Swanson had two hits and Hoerner had the walk-off game-winner. Still, the team is battling through recent injures and scuffles at the plate.
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Swanson had two hits and Hoerner had the walk-off game-winner. Still, the team is battling through recent injures and scuffles at the plate.
Mike Tauchman had two hits and two RBIs for the Cubs, who had dropped three of four.
Manager Craig Counsell also announced Tuesday that struggling starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks is out of the rotation and will move to the bullpen.
Paul Skenes struck out 11 in six no-hit innings in his second major league start, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 9-3.
The slumping Ian Happ hit a solo homer for the Cubs in the second after being held out of the previous two games.
Going into Thursday's contest, the Cubs were a game-and-a-half out of first place behind Milwaukee.
Assad (4-0) allowed just four hits and walked one while matching a season high with seven strikeouts.
Matt Olson hit a three-run homer and drove in four, Chris Sale pitched two-hit ball over seven innings and the Atlanta Braves beat the Chicago Cubs 7-0 for their second straight shutout in the series.
Right-hander Adbert Alzolay, who opened the season as the Chicago Cubs' closer, has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain.
Zack Short made the most of his first start with Atlanta by breaking a scoreless tie with a run-scoring double in the sixth and the Braves spoiled another strong start by Chicago rookie Shota Imanaga to beat the Cubs 2-0.
