Michael McKenry belted a three-run, go-ahead

homer  in the  eighth inning  as the  surprising Pittsburgh Pirates earned  a

dramatic  7-4 victory  over the  Chicago Cubs  in the  opener of  a three-game

set.

 With  two-out,  McKenry fell behind  0-2, then  fouled off five pitches before

sending his first major-league home run into the left-field bleachers.

 Josh  Harrison preceded the blast with a game-tying RBI single, as the Pirates

won for the fifth time in seven games.

 Daniel  McCutchen  (3-1) recorded the  final out of the  eighth to pick up the

win.  Joel Hanrahan earned  his 26th save of the season, setting a club record

for most saves before the All-Star break.

 Sean  Marshall (5-3) and  Carlos Marmol were each charged with two runs in the

eighth, as the Cubs fell for the sixth time in eight games