Pirates' Mark Melancon suffers blown save, loss

Pirates closer Mark Melancon suffered his first blown save and first loss of the season in a ninth-inning meltdown on Tuesday. 

Melancon started the ninth inning, nursing an 8-6 lead. The first four batters he faced reached base, on a walk and three hits. Melancon gave up three runs on three hits, including a double. He walked two, struck out one and saw his ERA swell to 8.53.

"He never threw the curve for a strike," Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro said. "(We had to) be ready for the cutter and the fastball.''