Coming off a strong seven-inning start, Pirates right-hander Juan Nicasio plodded through 4 1/3 innings, allowing four runs (one earned) on eight hits and three walks. Andrew McCutchen committed a crucial error before Zobrist's second homer of the season, a three-run shot in the third inning.
The Cubs have outscored their opponents this season by 93 runs, 159-66, by far the highest total in the Majors. They outscored the Pirates in this series, 20-5.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Great escape: Lester did some masterful pitching to escape a no-out, bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning.