Pirates top Cubs to break slump

Mccutchen hits home run to keep pace for wild card.

Andrew McCutchen homered and reached base four times, and the Pirates held off a late rally to snap a seven-game losing streak with a 7-6 win over the host Cubs on Saturday.

Wandy Rodriguez (1113) held Chicago to three runs — one earned — in helping the Pirates stop their free-fall in the NL playoff race. Pittsburgh had lost 17 of 22, yet was just three games behind St. Louis for the second NL wild-card slot entering the day.

Rodriguez is 3-0 with a 1.40 ERA over his last four starts after struggling initially upon being acquired midseason from Houston.

McCutchen launched Jason Berkin’s pitch off the rear fence behind the left-field bleachers leading off the third, his 28th round-tripper of the season.

He also singled and walked twice.

Marlins 6, Reds 4: Carlos Lee homered and drove in three runs and the host Marlins beat the Reds.

Mark Buehrle (13-12) allowed four runs on seven hits over 7 ⅔ innings to improve to 4-1 in his last six starts. Jose Reyes had three hits and also drove in a run for Miami.

Johnny Cueto (17-9) suffered his third straight loss and failed to last five innings for the second straight start. Cueto gave up six runs on nine hits in 4 ⅓ innings, and hasn’t won since August 28 at Arizona. Ryan Ludwick homered for the Reds.

The Marlins chased Cueto with a three-run fifth, capped by a two-run homer by Lee, who hit a 3-1 pitch over the scoreboard.