Corey Dickerson slowed down when he knew it happened again. David Bote, the Cubs' third baseman, caught a one-hopper off the bat of David Freese, stepped on third base to force Dickerson and rifled a throw across the infield to get Freese at first to end the game.
It was the Pirates' seventh double play, tying a franchise record and a major-league record for the most in a nine-inning game, and clinched a second consecutive 1-0 loss to the Cubs late Friday night at PNC Park. An offense that was the toast of the National League a few weeks ago is again in a historic funk.
They have one extra-base hit during a 23 consecutive scoreless innings streak and haven't led since the second inning Tuesday in Minneapolis. It was the Pirates' fifth loss in a row, tying another season high, and their league-leading 13th shutout. It dropped them below .500, now 61-62, for the first time since July 15, and the elation from an 11-game winning streak has since been replaced by angst.
"It’s one of those days; it [stinks]," Dickerson lamented. "Try to put a good plan together. Rain delays are never fun, but then you go out there and try to execute your plan. They made some really good plays in the infield, and it’s hard to just place it where they’re not."
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