Walker, Jones lift Pirates past Cubs

Associated Press

CHICAGO

Neil Walker and Garrett Jones each hit a long two-run homer, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 14-7 on Tuesday night for a rare road victory.

Walker went 4 for 5 with four RBIs and three runs scored for the Pirates, who won for only the fifth time in 43 road games and ended a 14-game losing streak away from PNC Park.

Koyie Hill hit a two-run homer for the Cubs, who have lost 13 of 16 at home.

The Cubs are one of the few teams the Pirates have had success against lately. Pittsburgh is 10-4 against Chicago this season and has won 12 of 16 at Wrigley Field dating to a doubleheader sweep on Sept. 30 last year.

The only teams the Pirates have a winning road record against this season are the Cubs (5-3) and Rockies (2-1).

Pittsburgh is 7-48 against the rest of its opponents away from home.

Pirates starter Jeff Karstens (3-10) avoided matching the longest losing streak in the majors this season.

He pitched six strong innings and allowed two runs on four hits after missing his previous turn with a fatigued arm.

The right-hander came into the game 0-8 with a 5.40 ERA in his last 10 starts — a stretch that began with a loss at Wrigley on June 29. Atlanta’s Kenshin Kawakami and Baltimore’s Brian Matusz are the only pitchers to drop nine consecutive decisions this season.

Jose Tabata was 3 for 5 with three runs and two RBIs for the Pirates, who lost 14-2 to the Cubs on Monday night.

With a 14-2 lead in the eighth in this one, Pirates reliever Sean Gallagher allowed five runs.