Pittsburgh hit 4 home runs on the way to a 12-6 win over the Cubs.
Chicago took the lead first with a Zobrist two run home run in the top of the first. Pittsburgh came back in the second with a bases loaded hit batter, a Fryer sacrifice fly, & a Contreras throwing error to take the lead 3-2. Chicago scored two runs in the third on RBI singles by Contreras and Báez to take a 4-3 lead. The Pirates answered back with a McCutchen and Rodriguez solo home runs in the bottom of the third to take a 5-4 lead. Chicago tied it up with a Rizzo RBI double in the fourth. The Pirates added two runs in the fourth on a McCutchen two run single to take a 7-5 lead. Pittsburgh then got a grand slam from Bell and a solo home run from Mercer in the fifth to make it 12-5. The Cubs got one more run in the sixth to make it 12-6.
Neither starting pitcher got the decision. Pirates starter Kuhl gave up 4 runs on 7 hits while striking out 1 and walking 1 over 2 and 1/3 innings. Caminero got the win in relief. Cubs starter Jon Lester gave up 5 runs on 4 hits while striking out 3 and walking 3 over 3 innings. Warren took the loss in relief.
The Cubs will try to avoid getting swept as they finish the half of the season today against the Pirates at 12:35.