CHICAGO _ The pregame vibe at Wrigley Field was giddy ... temps in the 70s, sun shining, flags flapping in the direction of the rooftops.
Wait, could it actually be shorts weather in Chicago?
Then came the big chill and more mediocrity from a Cubs team that fell to 6-6 after a 6-1 loss to the Pirates.
Kyle Schwarber was the hitting star, cranking a 404-foot homer and going opposite field for a double and single. But it clearly wasn't enough. An eighth-inning rally died when pinch-hitter Tommy La Stella grounded to second off right-hander George Kontos.
Kyle Hendricks (0-1) took the loss but was terrific, limiting the Pirates to a pair of runs over six innings. He allowed five hits and all three of his walks were intentional.
Justin Wilson replaced him for an outing he'd like to forget _ he walked three and gave up two home runs, including a three-run blast by Gregory Polanco.
The Cubs' bullpen entered with a 1.55 ERA, third-best in the National League. At least Steve Cishek and Carl Edwards Jr. recorded the final eight outs with no fireworks.
The game-time temperature was 74 degrees, dropped to 57 midway in the fifth inning and dipped into hoodie weather before it ended after a game of two hours and 57 minutes.
