PITTSBURGH _ Cubs manager Joe Maddon likes putting his best defenders on the left side when left-hander Jon Lester is pitching, so Javier Baez moved from second base to third Tuesday night against the Pirates.
Baez's production hasn't changed, as he ripped a three-run home run down the left-field line on an 0-2 pitch off Jameson Taillon in the fourth inning to highlight a 3-for-4 performance.
But Baez couldn't carry the offense on his own, nor could the Cubs continue their habit of rallying from behind to win games.
Francisco Cervelli hit a three-run home run, and David Freese hit the second of two RBI doubles to snap a 3-3 tie in the fifth and lead the Pirates to a 5-4 win.
Gregory Polanco added insurance in the eighth with a home run off Justin Wilson that loomed large as the Cubs (61-45) lost for the third time in their last four games.
The Cubs rallied in the top of the ninth on a single by pinch-hitter David Bote, and Addison Russell followed with an apparent triple after a head-first slide.
But a crew chief review overturned the safe call, wiping out what would have been the tying run at third base with no outs.
Anthony Rizzo struck out, and Ben Zobrist grounded to first.
Lester was tagged for seven hits in five innings before he was lifted for a pinch-hitter following his 101-pitch outing.
Baez's homer, his 22nd, followed a double by Zobrist to lead off the fourth and a single by Jason Heyward.
Baez became the third player used at third base since Kris Bryant was placed on the 10-day disabled list because of left shoulder inflammation.
This marked Baez's eighth start at third base this season.
