PITTSBURGH -- The Cubs have watched their 12 1/2-game lead in the National League Central shrink, but at least they will enjoy the All-Star break on a winning note.
Rookie Albert Almora Jr. hit a two-run homer, Addison Russell smacked a two-run single and Kris Bryant hit a tie-breaking RBI single in the eighth to lift the Cubs to a 6-5 victory on Sunday over the Pirates and avoid a sweep at PNC Park.
The two teams had been trending in opposite directions. Sunday was the second win in the last 11 games for the Cubs, while the Pirates lost for just the second time in their last 11 games.