Cubs belt three homers in win over Pirates
CHICAGO -- Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and David Ross each hit home runs as the Chicago Cubs rallied for a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.
Rizzo finished 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and a walk as the Cubs overcame a pair of deficits. Chicago (46-20) improved to a season-best 26 games over .500.
Jordy Mercer went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBIs for the Pirates. Pittsburgh (33-35) lost for the ninth time in the past 10 games and fell to 1-7 against the Cubs this season.
Left-hander Jon Lester (9-3) battled through a rocky first inning to win his fifth straight decision. He gave up three runs on seven hits in six innings. He walked three, all in the first inning, and struck out seven.
Left-hander Jonathon Niese (6-4) drew the loss after surrendering three home runs in 5 1/3 innings. Niese allowed four runs on six hits and four walks. He struck out five.
Cubs right-hander Hector Rondon recorded the final four outs for his 12th save.
Ross clubbed a go-ahead home run in the sixth inning to give the Cubs a 4-3 advantage. The 39-year-old climbed the dugout steps for a curtain call after the solo shot, which ended Niese's day.
The Pirates grabbed a 1-0 lead on the third pitch of the game when Mercer drove a low fastball into the left-field bleachers. The blast marked Mercer's first career home run to lead off a game.
The Cubs evened the score at 1 on a home run by Rizzo in the second inning. Rizzo launched Niese's breaking pitch down the right-field line for his 16th home run.
Pittsburgh regained a 2-1 lead in the third inning. Andrew McCutchen beat the Cubs' shift with a dribbler between first and second base to score Mercer, who led off the inning with a double.
The Pirates increased the lead to 3-1 when Lester hit Mercer with the bases loaded in the fourth inning. Lester's pitch hit Mercer in the left foot, allowing David Freese to trot home from third base.
A squeeze bunt by Ross sliced the Cubs' deficit to 3-2 in the fourth inning.
Bryant evened the score at 3 in the fifth inning with a towering home run that cleared the left-field bleachers and landed on Waveland Avenue. The blast traveled an estimated 448 feet.
Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler exited the game after injuring his right hamstring in the first inning. Fowler pulled up lame while running out a ground ball to third base.
NOTES: Pirates RHP Juan Nicasio was placed on the restricted list Saturday because of personal reasons. Nicasio, 29, is expected to miss his next scheduled start Tuesday against San Francisco. "He needs to get back home," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "We've encouraged him to go." ... Cubs OF Kris Bryant returned to the starting lineup after missing one game because of a stomach ailment. ... The Pirates recalled RHP Curtis Partch and 1B Jason Rogers from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday. To clear space, RHP Rob Scahill was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis and LHP Cory Luebke was designated for assignment. ... Cubs OF Jorge Soler (strained left hamstring) is making progress, but his return date remains uncertain, manager Joe Maddon said. ... The Pirates selected the contract of RHP Jorge Rondon on Saturday. Rondon, 28, was 3-1 with a 1.91 ERA in 24 relief appearances with Triple-A Indianapolis.