Frazier homer caps Pirates' sweep of Cubs
CHICAGO -- Adam Frazier went 3-for-4, including a three-run homer in the ninth inning, to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.
Andrew McCutchen snapped a 1-1 tie with an eighth-inning RBI on a fielder's choice before Frazier's bomb an inning later sealed it.
McCutchen's run-scoring grounder brought home pinch runner Alen Hanson in a three-run eighth as the Pirates (6-6) completed their first three-game sweep of the Cubs since Sept. 5-7, 2014.
The Cubs slipped to 6-6 with their fourth loss in five games.
Chicago reliever Koji Uehara (0-1) was responsible for the three eighth-inning runs, facing four batters and getting none out. He walked two and gave up two hits.
Cubs starter Jon Lester (0-0) had his third straight no-decision after working seven scoreless innings. He allowed just three hits, walked two and struck out three.
Pirates starter Jameson Taillon (1-0) earned the win and matched Lester until the seventh, when he loaded the bases with one out yet escaped with only one run scored.
Jason Heyward opened the seventh with a single to left and reached second on a Jordy Mercer error on Willson Contreras' grounder. Pinch hitter Tommy La Stella, pinch hitting for Lester, doubled to left to drive in Heyward.
Taillon departed after the inning. He allowed one unearned run and seven hits, walked three and struck out six.
Lester was replaced by Uehara, who was gave up a run-scoring single to Mercer to score John Jaso for a tie in the eighth and left with bases loaded with none out.
With Hector Rondon working in relief, McCutchen drove in a go-ahead run on an infield grounder as Hanson beat a throw from Rizzo to Contreras for an unsuccessful force at the plate.
Heyward handled a David Freese fly to right, but his throwing error allowed Mercer to score from third for a 3-1 lead.
Frazier's ninth inning homer drove in Josh Harrison and Jaso.
NOTES: The Pirates are 5-0 this season when scoring four or more runs and 0-for-6 when held to three or fewer runs. ... RF Andrew McCutchen has reached base safely in 13 of his last 14 games played in Chicago and 59 of 68 overall. ... The Pirates head for St. Louis to open a three-game series that starts Monday. They'll send RHP Ivan Nova (1-1, 2.25 ERA) against Cardinals RHP Lance Lynn (0-1, 5.23 ERA). ... The Cubs continue a nine-game homestead, opening a three-game series with Milwaukee on Monday as RHP John Lackey (1-1, 3.00 ERA) goes against Brewers RHP Chase Anderson (1-0, 0.69 ERA). ... The Cubs are 19-28 on Easter and haven't won on the holiday since beating the Nationals 4-3 on April 8, 2012.