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Cubs, Sox Sweep Respective Series'; Cardinals Fall to Pirates

>>Baez 13th Inning Homer Sends Cubs To Series Sweep of Nationals

 

The Chicago Cubs walked Washington star Bryce Harper a record-tying six times, then beat the Nationals 4-3 when Javier Baez homered in the 13th inning Sunday for a four-game sweep.

 

The Cubs won their seventh in a row and improved the best record in the majors to 24-6. Washington lost its fourth straight.

 

Manager Joe Maddon and the Cubs simply showed no interest in pitching to Harper. The NL MVP walked 13 times in this series.

 

Harper matched the major league record for walks in a game, last done by Jeff Bagwell in 1999. Harper was hit by a pitch the other time he came to the plate.

 

Things almost became almost comical when Harper reached the batter's box. In the 10th inning and again in the 12th, the Cubs intentionally walked him with runners on first and second and two outs. Both times, Ryan Zimmerman made the last out.

 

Baez homered with one out off Blake Treinen (2-1). Travis Wood (1-0) got the win.

 

The Cubs send LHP Jon Lester to the mound as they open a three-game series at home against the Padres. RHP Cesar Vargas pitches for San Diego.

 

>>Quintana Sharp Again As White Sox Complete Sweep of Twins

 

Jose Quintana pitched seven innings of one-run ball and Austin Jackson hit a go-ahead double in the fifth to lead the White Sox over the Minnesota Twins 3-1 Sunday for Chicago's fourth series sweep this season.

 

Quintana (5-1) gave up six hits, struck out five and lowered his ERA to 1.38. David Robertson pitched a hitless ninth for his 10th save in 11 tries as the White Sox (22-10) completed a three-game sweep and moved 12 games above .500 for the first time since September 2012.

 

Tyler Duffey became the first Twins pitcher in nearly four years to strike out four batters in an inning, but Avisail Garcia reached on a wild pitch during the seventh and scored on Dioner Navarro's double.

 

Miguel Gonzalez (0-0, 8.44) will be recalled from Triple-A and start Monday night at Texas, becoming the latest to audition for the No. 5 rotation spot following John Danks' departure.

The White Sox optioned RHP Tommy Kahnle to Charlotte after the game to open a roster spot.

RHP Colby Lewis (2-0, 3.32) starts for the Rangers.

 

>>Pirates Pound Cardinals

 

Gregory Polanco went the opposite way for a three-run homer and John Jaso added a two-run drive, leading Gerrit Cole and the Pirates over the St. Louis Cardinals 10-5 Sunday.

 

Cole (3-3) gave up two runs and six hits in six innings. He struck out seven and walked two.

Mark Melancon relieved with the bases loaded in the ninth and got Yadier Molina to ground into a game-ending double play for his ninth save.

 

Michael Wacha (2-3) lost his third consecutive decision for only the second time in his career, the first coming in 2014. He allowed four runs on six hits and two walks in six innings.

 

Rookie Jeremy Hazelbaker hit his sixth homer for St. Louis. Stephen Piscotty added four hits.

Molina had a two-run, two-out single in a three-run eighth for the Cardinals.

 

The Pirates took two of three at Busch Stadium and have won five of six from St. Louis this season.

 

The Cardinals open a three game set on Tuesday in Los Angeles against the Angels. Mike Leake (0-3, 6.03) will make his seventh start as he looks to earn his first win of the season as a member of the Cardinals.

 

He has allowed four or more runs in his first six starts. In his last four starts, Leake has given up six home runs.

 

>>Cubs' Ramirez Activated From Bereavement List

 

The Chicago Cubs have activated reliever Neil Ramirez from the bereavement list and optioned right-hander Spencer Patton to Triple-A Iowa.

 

The Cubs announced the moves before Sunday's game against the Washington Nationals.

The right-handed Ramirez began the day with a 4.50 ERA in six appearances.

 

Patton made one appearance for the Cubs.

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