PITTSBURGH _ David Bote snapped the Cubs' disturbing trend of scoring only one run by smacking a two-run home run, and newly acquired Daniel Murphy hit an RBI single to cap a three-run fifth inning Wednesday night.
But the offensively challenged Cubs didn't let up as they scored four runs in the ninth on homers by Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo to pull away to an 8-2 win over the Tigers and snap a three-game losing streak.
Bote's home run snapped an 0-for-17 slump, and it marked the first time in six games the Cubs scored more than one run _ which all were tallied via solo home runs.
Murphy, batting leadoff, poked a single just to the left of second base to score Ian Happ. The Cubs were hitless in their past 30 at-bats with runners in scoring position before Murphy hit his single, according to STATS, Inc.
The runs were the most scored by the Cubs since they scored eight in a win over the Brewers on Aug. 15. Murphy hit a single in the ninth that preceded a three-run homer by Baez.
Jon Lester pitched 52/3 innings of one-run ball to earn the victory over Francisco Liriano.
Shortstop Addison Russell, who is coping with a sore right shoulder and swollen left middle finger, was put on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to Monday.
