Andrew McCutchen, Pirates bullpen key 4-2 victory

Andrew McCutchen doubled and homered, and the Pirates' bullpen preserved a 4-2 lead as the Bucs sealed a win over the Cubs on Wednesday, 4-2.

Josh Harrison walked to lead off the bottom of the first, and McCutchen gave the Bucs a 2-0 lead with a fly ball that cleared the wall in left despite the best efforts of Cubs outfielder Chris Coghlan. McCutchen is now hitting .421 with six homers in June.

The Cubs tied the game in the second with an RBI single on a weak ground ball by John Baker and a groundout by Darwin Barney. But in the bottom of the inning, Jordy Mercer hit a one-out double, then came home three batters later as Gregory Polanco came to the plate with the bases loaded and hit a groundout.

The Pirates went up by two in the third inning as Pedro Alvarez tripled, then came home on Starling Marte's line drive. Josh Harrison left the game that inning with ankle discomfort.

Brandon Cumpton got through five innings, leaving the bases loaded in the fifth. After that, the Bucs cruised, with Justin Wilson, Tony Watson, Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli each pitching relatively easy innings en route to a two-run win.