ATLANTA _ Yu Darvish didn't get a chance to prove he can handle the fifth inning despite pitching four innings of one-run ball Tuesday night.
Darvish was pulled after only 61 pitches in his first start since May 2.
It looked gloomy for the Cubs after usually dependable reliever Carl Edwards Jr. allowed a tie-breaking home run to rookie sensation Ronald Acuna Jr. with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning.
But the Cubs rallied for three key hits with one out in the ninth to take a 3-2 victory over the Braves and snap a two-game losing streak.
Allbert Almora Jr. and Addison Russell hit tie-breaking doubles off reliever Arodys Vizcaino, and Ben Zobrist hit a single with two out to score Russell with the go-ahead run.
Darvish, who was activated from the 10-day disabled list after experiencing flu-like symptoms, struck out five and walked two. His only blemish was a solo home run to Ender Inciarte with two outs in the fourth.
Darvish looked strong from the outset as his fastball was clocked at 96 mph, and he displayed a sharp curve and slider. After allowing the homer to Enciarte, Darvish struck out Jose Bautista for the second time _ on an 82-mph slider.
But manager Joe Maddon elected to pull Darvish in favor of left-hander Mike Montgomery, who allowed a single to Johan Camargo before second baseman Javier Baez committed a throwing error on a potential double-play grounder.
Montgomery and Baez were bailed out when Camargo was thrown out at home plate trying to score on a wild pitch. The Braves unsuccessfully challenged the call at home plate, and were left helpless after Charlie Culberson was thrown out trying to advance to third on a pitch that bounced away from catcher Willson Contreras.
The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth when Russell reached first on a wild pitch after striking out, and an errant throw from catcher Kurt Suzuki to first allowed Contreras to score with Darvish on deck.
