Jun 17, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (left) celebrates his solo home run with right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen’s 12th home run powered the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 4-3 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday night at PNC Park.
McCutchen belted a solo shot to left field that extended his hitting streak to eight games and pushed Pittsburgh’s lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the sixth. His 12 home runs are tied for the team lead with Josh Bell.
That proved to be the game-winner, as Addison Russell led off the seventh with a homer to pull the Cubs within 4-3.
Pittsburgh (31-37) bounced back from allowing six runs in the ninth inning of a 9-5 loss to Chicago (33-34) on Friday.
Pirates right-hander Ivan Nova (7-4) struck out Jon Jay to finish his outing and strand Jason Heyward at third base. He allowed three earned runs and six hits in seven innings.
After the Pirates surrendered a 2-0 lead, Adam Frazier singled to right to score Jordy Mercer from third and give put them ahead 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth.
Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta was pulled after throwing two wild pitches and hitting David Freese to load the bases. He allowed three runs (two earned) and four hits with seven strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.
Gregory Polanco built the Pirates’ 2-0 lead with his first home run since May 28 in the bottom of the first inning. After Francisco Cervelli advanced Frazier to second base on a fielder’s choice, Polanco roped a 397-foot home run on a 0-1 pitch over the right-field wall.
Entering Saturday, Polanco was 3-for-27 in his previous seven games. He followed his homer with another sharp shot to right field, with this one bouncing off the wall in the third inning.
It seemed like Polanco’s home run could provide all the insurance Nova needed until Arrieta homered to left field to tie it 2-2 in the fifth. The home run was Arrieta’s first of the season and fifth of his career.
NOTES: Pirates 2B Josh Harrison sat after going 1-for-5 against the Cubs on Friday. Adam Frazier took over at second base. … Pirates C Francisco Cervelli moved up from seventh in the lineup to second. … Cubs 3B Kris Bryant returned to the lineup after sitting out Friday’s game. Tommy La Stella did not play, with Bryant taking his spot at third base. … Cubs LF Kyle Schwarber batted eighth after going 0-for-5 Friday when he hit third in the order.
