Bell hits grand slam as Pirates rout Cubs
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Josh Bell hit a grand slam in his second major-league at bat, one of four homers by the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 12-6 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday night.
Bell slugged a 1-1 pitch from Adam Warren (3-2) over the seats perched above the 21-foot wall in right for his second pinch-hit in two games since being recalled from Triple-A on Friday. Jordy Mercer, Andrew McCutchen and Sean Rodriguez also homered for the Pirates, who have won nine of 10 and 12 of their last 15.
Cubs starter Jon Lester, the National League pitcher of the month for June, has struggled of late — allowing 13 runs in 4 1/3 innings in July.
Ben Zobrist had a two-run homer and Anthony Rizzo had four hits for Chicago, which has lost of nine of 10 and seen its lead in the NL Central cut to 6 1/2 games.
Arquimedes Caminero (1-2) struck out three in 1 2/3 innings to pick up the win.