CHICAGO, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Henderson Alvarez went six innings for the win and bashed a go-ahead, three-run homer Monday, carrying Miami over the Chicago Cubs 4-3.
Alvarez (3-3) yielded three runs on seven hits until coming out the game in the seventh with a tight hamstring. The right-hander walked one and struck out three.
After allowing the Cubs to grab a 3-1 lead in the first inning, Alvarez himself wrested back the lead in the second.
Ed Lucas led off with a double and Jeff Mathis singled with one out, bringing up the pitcher, who belted a pitch from Travis Wood into the bleachers in left field for his first career homer.
Mike Dunn and Chad Qualls teamed up for two innings of shutout relief and Steve Cishek notched his 29th save as Miami claimed the opener of a three-game set.
Wood (8-11) surrendered four runs on nine hits over seven innings.
Dioner Navarro went 2-for-4 with an RBI for Chicago.