Pirates 2, Cubs 1: Gerrit Cole threw seven strong innings and Marlon Byrd hit the go-ahead homer in the seventh as Pittsburgh edged visiting Chicago.

Byrd's solo blast to right-center field against his former team helped move the Pirates into a tie with the St. Louis Cardinals for the top spot in the National League Central. Cole (8-7) earned his second straight win by limiting the Cubs to a run on five hits while striking out seven.

James Russell (1-6) took the loss in relief of Scott Baker, who yielded only one run over six innings in his second start of the season. Baker allowed just three hits while striking out four.

Nate Schierholtz provided Chicago's offense in the first inning, doubling to right field to score Starlin Castro. Anthony Rizzo tried to make it a 2-0 game but was thrown out at home on the same play.

Jose Tabata's solo shot to center tied things in the sixth, and Byrd put Pittsburgh ahead for good an inning later with his first homer since Aug. 28. Tony Watson worked the eighth and Mark Melancon shut down the Cubs n the ninth for his 15th save.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Baker has allowed one run on five hits over his first 11 innings in a Chicago uniform. ... Cole has limited opponents to a run on eight hits over his previous two starts, a span of 14 innings. ... The win was the Pirates' 86th of the season, their fourth-highest total since 1979.