The Pirates spoiled Trevor Williams’ homecoming Sunday afternoon at PNC Park, chasing him early in a 7-1 victory over the Cubs.
In the process, the Pirates picked up their first series win of the young season.
Williams (1-1) was tagged for five runs and 10 hits over 3 ⅓ innings. Three of those came off the bat of his former rotation mate, JT Brubaker. The first two capped a three-run second inning, and then he picked up another on a run scoring ground out in the third.
Dustin Fowler opened the scoring with a double in the second, and Colin Moran tacked on another in the fourth on a base hit.
Brubaker (1-0) went 5 ⅓ innings, allowing just one run on a Javier Báez solo shot. He struck out four with four hits, one walk and two hit batters on his ledger.
Those hit batsmen became a point of contention. In the third, Cubs catcher Wilson Contreras was hit by the first pitch of his at-bat. Contreras walked slowly to first, visibly upset. He ultimately took a run off the board for the Cubs when he did not run towards the second base bag while trying to break up a double-play attempt.
Brubaker hit Kris Bryant with the first pitch of the fourth inning, leading to some barking from the Cubs’ dugout and pitching, catching coach Mike Borzello being tossed. Both benches were warned and things did not escalate further.
Pinch-hitter Wilmer Difo added a two-run homer as insurance in the seventh inning. Bryan Reynolds had three hits, and Jacob Stallings went 2-for-3 with a walk and a double.
The Pirates will welcome the Padres to PNC Park for a four-game series starting Monday. Trevor Cahill (0-1, 15.75) will take the hill against Yu Davrish (0-0, 4.22). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.