Cubs 4, Pirates 2
Darnell McDonald went 3-for-4 and slammed a tiebreaking three-run homer to lead host Chicago past Pittsburgh.
Jake Arrieta (4-2) allowed one run and four hits over six innings as the Cubs handed the Pirates a severe blow in the National League Central race. Pittsburgh fell three games behind first-place St. Louis with three games to play.
The Pirates remain one game ahead of the Cincinnati Reds for the top wild-card spot and home-field advantage for Tuesday’s wild-card game. Pittsburgh concludes the regular season with three games at Cincinnati, beginning Friday.
The contest was tied at 1-1 entering the sixth when Donnie Murphy singled and Junior Lake walked. McDonald followed with a blast into the left-center field bleachers off Francisco Liriano (16-8) for his first homer.
Jose Tabata drilled an RBI triple into the right-center field gap with one out in the ninth inning before Kevin Gregg struck out Marlon Byrd and Starling Marte for his 33rd save in 38 opportunities. Anthony Rizzo had a run-scoring single in the first for Chicago and Pittsburgh’s Justin Morneau drew a bases-loaded walk in the third.
GAME NOTEBOOK: McDonald, who also doubled twice, had two RBIs entering the contest. … Liriano struck out eight and allowed four runs and eight hits in five-plus innings. … Cubs manager Dale Sveum expects to find out if he’ll return next season on Monday when he meets with president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer.