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Cubs Down Pirates with Offensive Explosion

Posted: 9:53 PM Jul 30, 2012
Reporter: The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) - Anthony Rizzo and Darwin Barney hit three-run homers and the Chicago Cubs routed the Pittsburgh Pirates 14-4 Monday night in their highest-scoring game of the season.

Starlin Castro added a two-run shot and reached base four times as the Cubs won for the 11th time in their last 13 games at Wrigley Field.

Rizzo's shot off Erik Bedard (5-12) keyed a nine-run fifth inning, Chicago's biggest burst of the year. On Sunday, his 10th-inning homer beat St. Louis.

Rizzo leads all NL rookies with a .330 average, eight homers and 20 RBIs since being recalled from Triple-A Iowa on June 26.

Justin Germano (1-1) gave up two runs over five innings for his first win since Aug. 28, 2007, when he beat Arizona while with San Diego.