Ian Happ hit a three-run, first-inning drive for his first home run since May 5, Christopher Morel added a three-run homer in the eighth and the Chicago Cubs routed the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-3 on Tuesday night.
Happ had four RBIs and scored three runs for the Cubs, who outhit the Pirates 14-7.
Jack Suwinski had a pair of solo homers for the Pirates, who have lost four of six after a six-game winning streak. He connected in the first off Jameson Taillon (2-4) and his 425-foot drive to right in the sixth tied the score 3-3, disappearing into the mist and landing on Sheffield Avenue.
Suwinski has four homers in his last four games and a team-high 15. He's hit five home runs in 12 games against the Cubs.
Pittsburgh is 14-23 following a 20-8 start.
In a game that started 1 hour, 10 minutes late because of rain, Matt Mervis broke a 3-all tie in the sixth with an RBI single. It was the first meeting of the season between the NL Central rivals, who play six times in a nine-day span.
Taillon allowed three runs and six hits in six innings - his longest outing this season - for his first win against his original team. He has won two of three starts after going 0-3 with an 8.04 ERA in his first eight outings after signing a $68 million, four-year contract.
Pirates starter Luis L. Ortiz (1-3) yielded four runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings
Happ’s fifth homer ended a 33-game drought. The Pittsburgh native picked up a fourth RBI when he was hit by Yohan Ramirez's pitch with the bases loaded in the seventh.
Happ exited in the top of the eighth with a sore calf. Morel replaced him.
Dansby Swanson had two hits, including an RBI infield single in a four-run seventh. Pinch-hitter Yan Gomes singled in two runs in the rally and Morel hit his 11th homer.
Cody Bellinger (bruised left knee) went 0 for 3 with a strikeout in his first rehab appearance at first base for Iowa.
OF Seiya Suzuki went 1 for 4 with a walk for Chicago after missing two games with an undisclosed injury.
Drew Smyly (5-4, 3.27) takes the mound Wednesday against the Pirates.
