Pirates' would-be trade chips come up big in win over Cubs

When the Pirates were flailing through a wretched seven-week stretch, trade-deadline day was supposed to be when the team dispatched its veterans, flipping them for the future.

David Freese and his expiring contract, of course, would go. So would Francisco Cervelli (owed almost $15 million over the next 14 months). And Gregory Polanco? Fans wanted him traded or in the minors.

Instead, July 31 was not only the day the Pirates were “buyers” at the deadline, it was not only the day they won for the 16th time over their past 20 games, not only the day they beat the first-place Chicago Cubs to move to within six games of the NL Central lead. It was a day in which Freese, Cervelli and Polanco made significant contributions, singlehandedly providing all the run production in a 5-4 victory at PNC Park.

“Oh my God, we’re having so much fun right now,” said Polanco, who hit his team-leading 19th home run. “Not just today, but the last month. We’re playing really good, we’re having fun in the clubhouse.”

Freese had two run-scoring doubles, Cervelli had a two-run homer among a pair of hits and Polanco went 2 for 3 with three runs as the Pirates shook off a disappointing four-game split with the lowly New York Mets by beating their division rivals.

The Pirates have won nine consecutive against NL Central teams during this 20-game run that catapulted them — almost improbably — close enough to contention that general manager Neal Huntington was compelled to deal five prospects for starter Chris Archer and reliever Keone Kela in two trades Tuesday.

A win Wednesday in the finale of the two-game series would pull the Pirates to within five games of first place, the closest since May 27. Tuesday’s victory helped the Pirates keep pace in a wild-card race in which they are chasing four teams for two spots.

“We’re just playing a complete game,” said Jameson Taillon, who extended his streak of starts of allowing three earned runs or fewer to 10. “Seems like everyone is doing their job. The lineup is deep. We’re getting production from one through eight. Our starting pitching has gone a little deeper in games, and when we get to the back end of the bullpen, it’s like, ‘Game over.’ ”

Well, just barely so Tuesday. Closer Felipe Vazquez’s streak of 17 straight scoreless appearances at home was snapped when he allowed consecutive hits to open the ninth inning. Addison Russell’s double scored David Bote, but Russell was — after an umpire-initiated video review — ruled out at third when his hand came off the base while Freese was tagging him.

“It felt like he went past it, and some kind of body part was not on the bag,” Freese said.

It was a tiny miscue that would loom large in deciding the game. Instead of having the tying run at third with no outs, there was nobody on and one out. Vazquez responded to the break by striking out slugger Anthony Rizzo and getting Ben Zobrist to ground out to first for his 24th save, his 14th consecutive conversion.

Taillon (8-8) was pulled with two outs in the seventh after allowing three runs on seven hits, including a three-run homer by Javy Baez that tied the score in the fourth

Freese, 35, continued his recent torrid play by going 2 for 4 to maintain a .500 average (7 for 14) with 10 RBIs over his past five games. Freese is hitting .373 over his past 21 games.

Polanco has 46 extra-base hits, most among NL outfielders. His shot over the Clemente Wall off of former Pirates lefty Justin Wilson in the ninth inning provided a crucial insurance run.

Cervelli’s home run, his 10th, followed the first time Freese doubled in Polanco, in the third inning. Freese would do the same in the fifth off of veteran Jon Lester (12-4) to give the Pirates a lead they would not relinquish.

“Thought the lineup performed very professionally,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “Lester’s a pro. I think he’s got 10 seasons of 30 or more starts in his back pocket rolling into this season — and you see what he’s doing this season.

“I thought our guys did a real good job, and our approach was very professional tonight.”

Cervelli’s home run traveled just 328 feet, sneaking just over the wall and just inside the left-field foul pole. MLB’s official statistical service considered a ball hit that far with a 24-percent launch angle to have a 37-percent chance of being a hit.

These days, things are going so well for the Pirates, it was a two-run homer that played a significant role in a big win.

Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Chris at cadamski@tribweb.com or via Twitter @C_AdamskiTrib.