CHICAGO (AP) -- A year ago, he writhed in pain, his ankle dislocated, his season ended by a grotesque injury that landed him in the hospital for surgery.

	Kendall

"It's definitely a lot better Fourth of July this year than it was last year. I wasn't a big fan of it until today," Kendall said after his go-ahead, two-run homer in the ninth sparked a seven-run inning in the Pittsburgh Pirates' 10-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

"Last year happened and it's over with, behind me," Kendall said. "I think I am kind of the only person who really knows how hard I worked. But like I said, it's something that happened, it's over with and you move on."

Wil Cordero followed Kendall's homer with a solo shot and Pat Meares connected for a three-run homer to cap the ninth.

Pittsburgh's clubhouse was an enjoyable place for Kendall, unlike a year ago when his postgame was spent in the hospital. He'd dislocated the right ankle while landing on first base as he tried to beat out a bunt against Milwaukee on July 4, 1999.

"It's neat considering what I was doing last year at this time," Kendall said. "I was pretty drugged up. I knew people were in the room, but I don't know if I was holding any conversations."

With the Pirates trailing 4-3 in the ninth Tuesday, Kendall delivered.

After Felix Heredia walked pinch-hitter John Vander Wal starting the ninth, Rick Aguilera (1-2) relieved and retired Adrian Brown on a flyout. Kendall connected on a 3-2 pitch for his seventh homer and a 5-4 lead.

Cordero, in an 0-for-15 slump, followed with his 11th homer. The Pirates added another run on a walk, wild pitch, fly ball and RBI single by Warren Morris. Aguilera, who blew a save for the sixth time in 23 chances, finally was taken out to a resounding chorus of boos after hitting Aramis Ramirez with a pitch.

"It's just a bad day, obviously," Aguilera said. "Some are tougher to get over than others. It's tough to come in and face your teammates after that."

Daniel Garibay relieved Aguilera and gave up a three-run homer to Meares that made it 10-4.

But the big hit came from Kendall.

"I'm sure Jason thought about the anniversary," Pirates manager Gene Lamont said. "I know I did. You think about how far he's come back. You'd never know something happened. But you knew if it were possible, Jason would do it."

Marc Wilkins (2-0) pitched a perfect seventh and eighth for the win.

Chicago had scored three in the fourth for a 4-2 lead. Sammy Sosa walked and Ricky Gutierrez singled, and Willie Greene's liner went off Brown's glove in right to tie the game at 2. Damon Buford followed with an RBI single and Cubs starter Kevin Tapani had a run-scoring grounder.

Pittsburgh closed to 4-3 in the eighth on Ramirez's sacrifice fly.

Pittsburgh had forged a 2-1 lead in the fourth off Tapani on singles Kevin Young, Ramirez and Meares.

Chicago loaded the bases with no outs in the third but managed just one run. Grace hit an RBI single but Brown threw out Kevin Tapani trying to score from second.

Game notes
Sosa made the NL All-Star team for a fourth time, the second time he's been voted in by the fans. He was injured in 1998 and did not play. ... Pirates manager Gene Lamont said Francisco Cordova could miss a start but that his elbow problem is not serious. He was forced to leave Monday's game after four innings when it began to hurt. ... Brown was activated from the DL, where he'd been since June 13 with a hamstring injury. Abraham Nunez was sent to Triple-A Nashville to make room for him on the roster. ... It was the first time the Pirates hit three homers in an inning since Sept. 16, 1997, against Montreal.