Prized prospect Willson Contreras crushed the first pitch he saw in the major leagues for a two-run home run, Kyle Hendricks struck out a career-high 12 in six innings and the Chicago Cubs completed a sweep of the fading Pittsburgh Pirates with a 10-5 victory Sunday night.
Contreras, called up from Triple-A on Friday, pinch hit for Hendricks in the sixth and sent A.J. Schugel's changeup an estimated 415 feet to center. The cheering crowd didn't let up until the 24-year-old Venezuelan catcher obliged with a curtain call.
Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo hit consecutive home runs in the third and Javier Baez added a solo shot for the Cubs, all off rookie Jameson Taillon (1-1). Addison Russell hit a two-run shot in the seventh for the Cubs, who have eight homers in two games.
Josh Harrison's solo home run was the lone blemish off Hendricks (5-6), who walked none and allowed seven hits.
Contreras will catch RHP John Lackey (7-2, 2.66) in the opener of a three-game home series against St. Louis. LHP Jaime Garcia (4-6, 3.93) starts for the Cardinals.
