MLB wrap: Josh Bell's three home runs help Pirates demolish Cubs

Alexis Mansanarez

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MLB wrap: Josh Bell's three home runs help Pirates demolish Cubs image

Someone must not have told Josh Bell that Monday wasn't the Home Run Derby.

The Pirates first baseman hit three home runs in the team's 18-5 win over the Cubs. He finished 4 for 6 with seven RBIs.

Bell hit homers in the first, second and eighth just one day after he made the All-Star roster and became a derby participant. It was the 20th three-homer game in franchise history, according to MLB.com, and the first ever by a switch-hitter.

Bell wasn't the only one with a hot bat in Pittsburgh. 

Colin Moran went a perfect 5 for 5 with two RBIs, Adam Frazier was 5 for 6 with a pair of RBIs and five other Pirates each finished with one RBI.

Adbert Alzolay had a rough start against Pittsburgh and was ultimately pegged with the loss. He lasted 2 2/3 inning and allowed 10 hits and seven earned runs.

The Pirates are five games behind the National League Central-leading Brewers.

Chicago falls to one game behind Milwaukee.

Studs of the Night

Christian Yelich hit his major league-leading 30th home run to help the Brewers rally and beat the Reds, 8-6.

Kevin Kiermaier hit a three-run homer to lift Tampa Bay over Baltimore, 6-3. 

Dud of the Night

The Royals could have used a little more offense to keep up with the Blue Jays, who won 11-4 on Monday. Alex Gordon finished 0 for 4 with two strikeouts for Kansas City.

Highlight

This is both an offensive highlight and a clip that could end up on the Padres' blooper reel as the Giants' Austin Slater hit an RBI triple that bounced around outfielder Franmil Reyes.

What's Next?

Yankees (54-28) at Mets (38-47), 7:10 p.m. ET — It's a showdown in New York. The Yankees return to their home state to face the Mets on Tuesday. They have won 13 of their last 14 games, including a sweep of Boston in the London Series. The Yankees hope to keep winning and will send James Paxton (5-3, 4.34 ERA) to the mound. Meanwhile, the Mets have been struggling, dropping seven of their last eight. They have a lot of ground to gain in the NL East and will hope to turn the tide with Zack Wheeler (6-5, 4.51 ERA) starting.

 

Alexis Mansanarez