Gregory Polanco hits two of Pirates’ four home runs in 6-1 win over Cubs

The Pirates hit four home runs — Gregory Polanco had two — and Pirates pitching was only victimized by the longball once as the Bucs pulled out a 6-1 victory over the Cubs on a Thursday afternoon of shifting winds at Wrigley Field.

Disclaimer: The WTM Compound is experiencing technical difficulties. I didn’t watch this game, but people seem to think I don’t watch anyway I’ll make do and recap it for the ever faithful readers.

Polanco gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead in the first, smashing Kyle Hendricks’ fastball to right-center field. It was not cheap.

The Cubs tied it at 1 when Kyle Schwarber hit a solo homer to lead off the bottom of the fourth — all of the game’s runs came on homers — but the Pirates took the lead right back with Adam Frazier’s homer to lead off the fifth. That one was apparently very much against the wind. Frazier just really popped it to left-center for his first home run of the year.

The Pirates’ bullpen was good, but it got some important breathing room in the seventh. Facing former Buccos lefty Justin Wilson, Gregory Polanco went opposite-field for his second solo home run of the day, then, after walks by Josh Bell and Corey Dickerson, Francisco Cervelli lined one into the bleachers in left-center for a 6-1 Pirates lead.

Trevor Williams was strong, with five strikeouts, just one walk and four hits in six innings, only victimized by the Schwarber homer.

For a pleasant change, the bullpen held. Michael Feliz, George Kontos and Felipe Vazquez pitched a scoreless inning each, allowing one hit apiece. With one day of rest, but just 1 1-3 innings pitched this week, Vazquez pitched the ninth with a five-run lead. I’m not sure what to do with this information.

Frazier, Polanco (of course) and Cervelli had two hits each.

Dickerson legged out a ninth-inning double. I could really get used to watching that opposite-field stroke. It’s a beautiful piece of hitting.

The Pirates are 9-3 through four series — who knew?

They head to Miami for three games this weekend.