Pittsburgh Pirates Beat Chicago Cubs 7-6 After Late Inning Homer

Nate McLouth hit a two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning, giving the Pittsburgh Pirates a 7-4 lead over the Chicago Cubs.

The Cubs got within one run after Ryan Theriot singled in Alfonso Soriano making it 7-6. However, Derrek Lee made the final out on a deep flyball, ending the game and giving the Pirates a 7-6 win.

Alfonso Soriano continued his sensational hitting as he went five-for-five with two solo home runs and a run-scoring single.

Ryan Theriot went two-for-five with one RBI and Reed Johnson picked up the other RBI on a single. The other Chicago other run came in on an error by Pirates outfielder Jason Bay in the second.

Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano started for the North Siders, but struggled, lasting only four innings and allowing five runs. Four runs were earned. Zambrano allowed seven hits, struck out three and walked three.

Zambrano seemed to lose concentration after first his at-bat, when he struck out, then proceeded to break the bat over his leg. The next inning, he started walking batters and giving up hits as the Pirates had a big fifth inning, scoring three runs.

As for the Pirates' offense, they scored one in the second after Brian Bixler singled in Doug Mientkiewicz. Mientkiewicz knocked in Adam LaRoche with a single in the fourth, making the score 3-2 in favor of the Cubs. Singles from McLouth and LaRoche plus a sacrifice fly by Xavier Nady gave the Pirates a 5-4 lead in the fifth.

The Cubs tied it with Soriano's blast in the seventh, but the lead was short-lived as McLouth hit a two-run home run off Carlos Marmol, giving the Pirates a 7-5 lead.

Pirates starting pitcher Zach Duke went six and one-third innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits while striking out four.

Damaso Marte took the win after an inning of work and Matt Capps picked up his tenth save of the season. Carlos Marmol suffered his first loss.

Tomorrow, Jason Marquis (1-3, 5.26 ERA) will pitch for the Cubs, and Phil Dumatrait (1-1, 3.96 ERA) will take the mound for the Pirates.  First pitch will be around 1:20 PM CST.