Pittsburgh 5, Chi. Cubs 4

Pedro Alvarez came up with a two-run infield single in the top of the ninth inning, allowing Pittsburgh to eke out a 5-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday afternoon in the rubber game of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.
 
Down by a run, the Pirates (2-1) rallied against Cubs closer Carlos Marmol (0-1) in the top of the ninth inning. Garrett Jones led off with a walk and moved to second on a base hit by Neil Walker. After a sacrifice by Lyle Overbay moved the runners over, Alvarez beat out a slow roller to shortstop and Walker hustled around from second and just got under the tag at home with the go-ahead run.
 
Alfonso Soriano's sixth-inning solo homer off Pittsburgh starter Ross Ohlendorf had put the Cubs in front, 4-3. The Pirates loaded the bases in the eighth inning but came up empty when Chicago right fielder Tyler Colvin threw out Jason Jaramillo at home plate after a flyout.
 
Jeff Karstens (1-0) got the win for Pittsburgh — which had no extra-base hits but 16 singles — after tossing a scoreless eighth inning. Joel Hanrahan got his second save after inducing a double play with runners on the corner and one out in the bottom of the ninth.


    

• Chi. Cubs will play their next game at home against Arizona. The Cubs have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .500 after a loss.
• Pittsburgh will play their next game on the road against St. Louis. The Pirates have a W/L % of .500 after a win and 1.000 after a loss.