Pirates 10, Cubs 4: Erik Bedard tossed six strong innings while Pedro Alvarez homered and drove in four runs as host Pittsburgh completed a three-game sweep to hand Chicago its 12th straight loss.

Andrew McCutchen and Garrett Jones also went deep for the Pirates, who have won three in a row for just the second time this season. The three-game sweep was Pittsburgh's first at home since September 2010.

Bedard (3-5) yielded a pair of singles and walked four en route to ending his three-game winless streak. The veteran left-hander, who struck out three, improved to 1-2 with a 2.42 ERA in five home starts.

Alvarez began the rout with a three-run blast in the first inning. McCutchen launched a solo shot in the fifth and Jones ignited a six-run rally in the sixth with a two-run homer off Matt Garza (2-3), who allowed six runs - five earned - and seven hits in five-plus frames.

Pinch hitter Gorkys Hernandez delivered a two-run single off Michael Bowden, Alvarez lifted a sacrifice fly and Neil Walker followed with an RBI single to cap the outburst.

Starlin Castro belted a two-run homer for the Cubs, who have lost 12 in a row for the first time since a franchise-record 14-game skid to start the 1997 season.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Pittsburgh LF Jose Tabata left the game for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning due to cramps in his left leg. ... The single by Hernandez, who was batting for Tabata, was the first hit of his major-league career. ... After issuing two walks and hitting a batter to bring home the winning run on Saturday, Cubs RH Rafael Dolis walked the only two batters he faced on nine pitches Sunday. ... The Cubs have now lost at least 12 consecutive games for the seventh time in franchise history. ... Chicago has scored in only eight of its last 74 innings.