Levine: Cubs Bullpen Helps Arrieta Win 11th Game

By Bruce Levine

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The combination of another Jake Arrieta quality start and a clean three innings from a beleaguered bullpen was the recipe for victory for the Cubs on Friday afternoon.

Arrieta went six innings, allowing just two hits and no runs while striking out 11 Pirate hitters and walking three, all in the sixth inning as he put himself in a jam and got himself out. With the game still on the line and Chicago leading 2-0, Arrieta struck out David Freese and Matt Joyce with sinking fastballs to get out of the inning. Both strikeouts came on 3-2 counts with the bases loaded.

The Cubs went on to win 6-0.

"At times it was a little shaky," Arrieta said after throwing 112 pitches. "I didn't throw any change-ups today. I put myself in situations where I didn't like a pitch, so I stayed away from it. I need more aggression early in counts. There is definitely some work to be done there. The cutter was a little ineffective, but when I needed it, it was good."

With the best record in baseball at 45-20, Chicago is now 41-3 when scoring four or more runs this season. Left fielder Matt Szczur hit a two-run home run, his third of the season, in the first inning to give Arrieta an early cushion.

"We have a remarkable pitching staff," Szczur said. "All five of the guys are great. They all bring energy. Our job is to contribute for whoever is on the mound."

Pittsburgh is now 1-6 against Chicago in 2016 and dropped 13 games behind the division-leading Cubs. Arrieta improved to 11-1 to become the first National League's first 11-game winner. White Sox ace Chris Sale is the only other pitcher with 11 wins this season.

"One of the most enjoyable aspects of this ballpark is playing day games here," Arrieta said. "Warming up just before 1 p.m., the bleachers are packed.  I take a little jog to center field, and everyone is on their feet showing their support. Right out of the gate that fires you up."

The Cubs bullpen lost two games in the previous series against the Nationals. Both president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and manager Joe Maddon voiced support for their relievers before Friday's game.

"We aren't going to be reactive around here," Epstein said. "Stuff happens. We may be having a little bit of a downturn, but if you look at last year's bullpen, the guys who were dominant for us in September and October, all went through stretches where they were struggling. You have to go through those things with your guys to get them locked in. That is what we are going through right now."

Arrieta lowered his ERA to 1.74, second only to Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw (1.58). Maddon had the bullpen up after Arrieta walked the bases full.

Maddon still believed Arrieta was the best man to get himself out of trouble.

"I was watching very closely, but Jake made the pitches he had to," Maddon said.

The Cubs are once again a season-high 25 games over .500. It's their best start since 1918 (45-19).

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.