Pirates 3, Cubs 1: Jeff Locke pitched seven solid innings to break an eight-start winless skid as host Pittsburgh defeated Chicago in the opener of its 11-game homestand.

Marlon Byrd and Pedro Alvarez delivered two-out RBI singles in the fourth inning to help the Pirates pull even with St. Louis for first place in the National League Central. Pittsburgh has won four consecutive games.

Locke (10-5) allowed one run and three hits in recording his first victory since July 21. The left-hander struck out five and walked one.

Chicago starter Chris Rusin (2-4) pitched seven solid innings. He allowed all four hits - and both runs - in the fourth, as Byrd forged a tie with an infield hit and Alvarez followed by short-hopping the fence in right field to give the Pirates a 2-1 lead.

Jordy Mercer added an insurance run with a double to right-center field in the ninth. Tony Watson pitched a flawless eighth and Mark Melancon worked the ninth for his 14th save.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen doubled and scored in the fourth inning to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. … Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo singled in the ninth to make him 1-for-18 over his last five contests. … Alvarez has failed to homer in his last 15 games.