Bryant, Schwarber Provide Power In Cubs Win, Cardinals Fall

Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber provided a major boost to the Chicago Cubs' offense on Wednesday night. Bryant had a grand slam and Schwarber was 4-for-5, including his first major league hit and RBI, and the Cubs hit four home runs to rout the Cleveland Indians 17-0.

The Cubs scored seven times in the ninth inning, which ended with Indians position players Ryan Raburn and David Murphy pitching. The offensive outburst was the most runs scored in a shutout win by the Cubs since they blanked San Diego 19-0 on May 13, 1969.

The Indians suffered their most lopsided defeat since losing 23-2 at Minnesota on June 4, 2002. Chicago's rising young stars stole the show on the offense's big night.

"They're going to keep getting better," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "I'm telling you, man, that was a nice night. You get a glimpse of what it looks like when everybody's here."

Schwarber, the fourth pick in last year's draft who was called up Tuesday, tripled in the second to key a six-run inning and added an RBI single in the third when the Cubs scored four times. Schwarber hit into a double play in the fourth and singled in the seventh. He added an infield hit in the ninth.

Schwarber's stay in the majors is expected to be brief. The plan is for him to DH in interleague games at Cleveland and Minnesota this week and send him to Triple-A Iowa, where he will continue to be used as a catcher.

Twins 3, Cardinals 1

A banner May had given way to a horrible June, and Minnesota Twins manager Paul Molitor was desperate for a win. That meant going to closer Glen Perkins in the eighth inning. The All-Star made it interesting, but stayed perfect.

Perkins pitched four outs to improve to 23 for 23 in save chances and Tommy Milone gave up one run in seven innings to help the Twins squeak out a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night.

"He was rested," Molitor said. "And it seemed like a night where we really need a win."

Milone (3-1) gave up five hits and struck out five and Eduardo Nunez had two hits and two RBI to help the reeling Twins, who had lost seven of their previous eight games.

Carlos Martinez (7-3) gave up two runs -- one earned -- on five hits and struck out six in 6 2/3 innings for the Cardinals, who are embroiled in a federal investigation into allegations that members of the team's baseball operations hacked into the Houston Astros' personnel database.

Pirates 3, White Sox 2

Less heralded than the other starters in the Pittsburgh Pirates' rotation, Jeff Locke is happy to do his part along with his more famous and accomplished teammates. Locke allowed just two runs in six innings, Jung Ho Kang hit a two-run home run and the Pirates beat the struggling Chicago White Sox 3-2 Wednesday night for their seventh straight win.

The Pirates, who had thrown three straight shutouts -- and five in the previous six -- saw their streak of scoreless innings end at 35.

Locke (4-3) gave up three hits and had a season-high eight strikeouts. He was followed by Arquimedes Caminero, Tony Watson and Mark Melancon, who combined for scoreless relief over the final three innings with Melancon getting his 22nd save.

Wednesday, June 17 Scoreboard

Tampa Bay 5, Washington 0

New York Yankees 2, Miami 1

Baltimore 6, Philadelphia 4

Toronto 8, New York Mets 0

Chicago Cubs 17, Cleveland 0

Atlanta 5, Boston 2

Cincinnati 8, Detroit 4 (F/13)

Pittsburgh 3, Chicago White Sox 2

Kansas City 10, Milwaukee 2

Minnesota 3, St. Louis 1

Houston 8, Colorado 4

Arizona 3, Los Angeles Angels 2

Oakland 16, San Diego 2

Seattle 2, San Francisco 0

Texas 5, Los Angeles Dodgers 3

Thursday, June 18 Schedule (All Times Central)

Baltimore at Philadelphia, 12:05 p.m.

St. Louis at Minnesota, 12:10 p.m.

Houston at Colorado, 2:10 p.m.

San Diego at Oakland, 2:35 p.m.

Los Angeles at Arizona, 2:40 p.m.

Miami at New York, 6:05 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Washington, 6:05 p.m.

New York at Toronto, 6:07 p.m.

Chicago at Cleveland, 6:10 p.m.

Boston at Atlanta, 6:10 p.m.

Detroit at Cincinnati, 6:10 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Chicago, 7:10 p.m.

Milwaukee at Kansas City, 7:10 p.m.

San Francisco at Seattle, 9:10 p.m.

Texas at Los Angeles, 9:10 p.m.