Pirates' Andrew McCutchen Smacks Three-Run Homer

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Pirates a 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night.

The homer was McCutchen's 25th of the season and it helped the Pirates snap a three-game losing streak.

McCutchen's homer came on a 1-2 count off Cubs reliever Pedro Strop. The ball sailed over the wall in right-center field and gave the Pirates a 5-2 lead.

The Pirates had trailed 2-1 entering the bottom of the eighth inning. Colin Moran led off the inning with a single and Kevin Newman followed with a walk. McCutchen then came to the plate and hit a 1-2 pitch from Strop over the wall.

The homer was McCutchen's first since Aug. 20. It was also his first three-run homer of the season.

The Pirates' bullpen did a great job of keeping the Cubs in check after starter Chris Archer allowed two runs in the first inning.

Kyle Crick, Richard Rodriguez, and Keone Kela combined to allow just one hit over the final five innings of the game. Kela struck out the side in the ninth inning to earn his 25th save of the season.

The Pirates improved to 64-71 with the win. They will face the Cubs again on Saturday night at PNC Park.