PITTSBURGH — Javier Baez drilled a three-run homer and Anthony Rizzo delivered a two-run single Wednesday night to lead the Chicago Cubs to an 8-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

Joe Musgrove made his first start on the mound since Aug. 4 for Pittsburgh, working three innings and striking out four. He was removed after throwing 45 pitches.

Musgrove had been on the injured list.

Nick Tropeano replaced Musgrove and surrendered the homer to Baez on the first pitch.

Kyle Hendricks got the win for the Cubs (22-14), pitching six innings and striking out six. He allowed a solo home run to Colin Moran in the second inning.

Anthony Alford, acquired off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays recently, made his first start for the Pirates in left field. He hit a solo homer in the seventh.

Wilson Contreras was awarded a run-scoring double in the eighth for Chicago when replay showed that Alford trapped his liner to left. An error by second baseman Kevin Newman allowed two more Cubs runs to score in the inning.

The Pirates lead the major leagues in most errors committed. The miscue was Newman's sixth of the season.

Gregory Polanco had two hits, including a double, for the Pirates. The loss was the Pirates' third in a row and dropped their MLB-worst won-loss record to 10-24.

The teams conclude their three-game series Thursday at 1:35 p.m. JT Brubaker will get the start for the Pirates.

The Cincinnati Reds come to town Friday as the Pirates continue a nine-game homestand.