KC Cruises 3-0

Yay for the MLB. They decided to schedule yesterday's get-away date with the Cubs as a night game, even though the three earlier games were during the day. The Bucs have no days off, so of course it rained. Twice, in fact, delaying the start until 11:42 Eastern time. But the clubs soldiered on, and thank goodness for everyone's favorite whipping boy in July, Kevin Correia, whose two-hit performance led the Bucs to a series-splitting 3-0 victory. Funny how he and Wandy have become the staff stoppers, hey?

It'll be a quickie recap, as there isn't much to recap.

Clint Barmes started the Bucco action when he led off in the third taking one for the team, and Brock Holt followed with a single to center. One out later, Starling Marte rifled a triple to left field and the next batter, JT, doubled to the center field ivy, and it was 3-0. That was your ball game; the Bucs had two hits more. Of course, when you whiff 15 times, there's not a lot of balls in play to end up hits. Travis Wood struck out five in a row over one span, giving him nine strikeouts and a new career high.

KC went seven frames, giving up two hits with a walk and six K (scarily, tying his season high), tossing 86 pitches. Both of the Cubbie hits were by Darwin Barney and both times he was erased on a 6-3 DP. Jason Grilli followed with a clean eighth inning and Joel Hanrahan saved his 36th game with a walk and whiff in the ninth.

All about pitching, right? The win kept things jumbled for the post season. Pittsburgh's next opponent is Milwaukee, and both teams are 2-1/2 games behind the Cardinals for the second spot, while the Dodgers sit a game behind the Redbirds. The Phillies are 3-1/2 games back of St. Louis, and D-backs are 4-1/2 games back to remain close.

Yovania Gilardo goes against AJ Burnett, although tonight's game, if the weatherman is right, will be a washout.

• Starling Marte is the first Pirates player to triple in three straight games since Andrew McCutchen did it in 2009, also his rookie season. The only other Bucco puppy to accomplish the feat was Bob Elliott in 1940.
• Jose Tabata continued his hot hand since his Indy trip, banging out two of the Pirates five hits.
• The 10:42 Central Time (11:42 Eastern) start was the latest in Cub history.