Cubs cap 22-win August with sweep of Bucs

CHICAGO — It felt like September at Wrigley Field on Wednesday night, a reminder that playoff baseball is right around the corner. The Cubs find themselves heading into the final month of the regular season with a substantial 15-game lead in the National League Central, while the Pirates have some work to do to stay in the Wild Card race.

Kris Bryant smacked his 36th home run and Addison Russell drove in two runs and made an amazing catch to lift the Cubs to a 6-5 victory and a sweep of the Pirates. It was Chicago’s 22nd win of the month, matching the best August record in franchise history of 22-6 set in 1932. This is the first time the Cubs have won 22 games in any month since the team went 22-10 in September 1945.

Jason Hammel posted a quality start, and, more importantly, was allowed to work out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth. The right-hander was pulled after 2 1/3 innings on Saturday against the Dodgers, and on Wednesday, struck out six over six innings.

Ryan Vogelsong, making his sixth start since coming off the disabled list, took the loss as the Pirates closed August at 15-13. These two teams will meet once more this season, Sept. 26-29 at PNC Park.

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDWind currents: The wind was blowing in from the north at Wrigley Field and did not favor hitters, but Bryant didn’t seem to mind, launching an 0-1 pitch from Vogelsong into the left-field bleachers in the first inning. He’s the first Cubs player to top 35 home runs since Aramis Ramirez hit 38 in 2006. …

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