PITTSBURGH — In nearly 40 at-bats during the month of May, Henry Davis tallied only four hits — translating to a .105 batting average.

His slump has been no secret, but Davis made that fifth hit count. He launched a solo home run in the seventh inning Monday afternoon to power the Pirates to a 2-1 win against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park to open a seven-game homestand.

Carmen Mlodzinski offered a strong start, throwing five innings of one run ball, and the combination of Wilber Dotel and Gregory Soto pitched a clean final four frames.

Manager Don Kelly was ejected for the second time in three days — as well as the National League-leading third time this season — in the bottom of the second. Konnor Griffin appeared to be clipped on the helmet by a high sinker from Cubs righty Ben Brown and took first base, but the pitch was ruled a ball.

The call was subsequently upheld, and Kelly was tossed after protesting the ruling.

The Pirates opened the scoring the following inning when Brandon Lowe hit an RBI double off the center field wall. Cubs first baseman Michael Busch tied the game in the fifth with a two-out solo shot, turning on a 2-1 sinker for a 409-foot blast to center field.

That homer was Mlodzinski’s only major blemish, and he exited the game after throwing 86 pitches through five innings.

Brown went six innings and struck out seven for the Cubs, and the Pirates took advantage when the visitors went to the bullpen. With two outs, Davis scooped a cutter low in the zone for a go-ahead homer to left field off Cubs reliever Trent Thornton.

Dotel was excellent in relief of Mlodzinski, spinning three shutout innings and striking out four before Soto closed the ninth.

Soto got Carson Kelly to ground out in the top of the ninth to seal the Pirates’ 2-1 win.

Mlodzinski needed only 10 pitches to retire the first five batters he faced, but he loaded the bases with two outs after allowing two singles and issuing a walk in the second inning. Still, Mlodzinski struck out Dansby Swanson to escape the jam and set the tone for a mostly solid outing.

He gave up five hits and his three walks tied a season high, but Mlodzinski lowered his ERA to 3.76 and turned in a fourth-consecutive start with at least five innings pitched and two or fewer runs allowed.

Dotel showcased his electric stuff, mostly pairing his slider and high 90s fastball to quiet the Cubs lineup. Despite a relatively slim sample size, his three innings were the second-most he’s thrown this season. Dotel now boasts a 1.69 ERA.

The Pirates desperately needed production from the bottom of the order, and Davis offered a spark with his go-ahead homer. Leading off for the second consecutive game, Spencer Horwitz went 2 for 3 and flashed the leather with a few nice plays at first base.

Lowe is batting .351 in his last 10 games, and he went 2 for 4 with an RBI Monday.

Marcell Ozuna drew some boos after striking out for the third time with two runners on in the eighth, and the Pirates batted 0 for 6 collectively with runners in scoring position.

Most valuable player

Davis, who hit his fourth home run of the season to break the deadlock in the seventh inning and lift the Pirates to a series-opening win.

Braxton Ashcraft (3-2, 2.89) will take the mound at 6:40 p.m. Tuesday as the Pirates look to gain momentum during this week’s homestand. Lefty Jordan Wicks — a 2021 first-round draft choice — is slated to make his season debut for the Cubs.