Young Cubs Led Way As Pirates Fall 5-2

Something old and something new with a clutch dose of two-out lightning did in the Pirates. Starling Castro & Anthony Rizzo had a pair of hits apiece, Jake Arietta overcame the first inning jitters to toss a gem and Kris Bryant & Jorge Soler showed why the Cub future is so bright it needs sunglasses in last night's 5-2 win at PNC Park.

The Bucs came out swinging against Arietta, sending up six batters, and five scorched the ball. Unfortunately, the one that didn't kept the Pirates from a crooked number. Josh was robbed on a diving stop of a bullet by Castro, then El Coffee, Cutch and The Kid went single-single-double to plate a run. But with runners at second and third, Starling bounced out to the mound, with Cutch off on contact and dead at home. Then Pedro ripped a liner to Dexter Fowler, and an inning filled with hard-hit balls ended with just one tally.

Cutch's 2009 Topps Rookie card

The Pirates would get only one more hit off Arietta in the next six innings. Bryant, Soler and Rizzo combined to tie the game in the fifth. With two outs, Soler singled, Rizzo was nicked with a pitch and Bryant singled on a 3-2 pitch that hung a bit to knot the score.

AJ tossed well, but after six innings and 91 pitches, he was replaced by Arquimedes Caminaro. The same trio bit him, and in pretty much the same circumstances. With two outs, Soler doubled, Rizzo walked and Bryant's doubler cashed them in. His two bagger turned into a Texas League homer when Fran Cervelli whiffed on the relay throw home - which may have had Rizzo - and by the time he caught up to the ball, everyone had touched the plate.

Antonio Bastardo gave up a run in the eighth (yep, on another two-out knock) and Marte homered with two gone in the ninth for the final score.

Frankie Liriano takes on Travis Wood tonight. It will be the first time the Bucs go against a lefty starter this season.

• The Bucs just can't seem to come sprinting out of the blocks. They haven't had an  April four-game winning streak since 2008.
• Antyhony Rizzo was thrown out twice going for the extra base, once at home by Marte and again at third by Andrew Lambo.
• The weather and Penguins conspired against the Bucs last night. The game was delayed until 7:30 by threatening weather, inconveniencing a small gathering of 11,777 souls.
• Another delay was caused when a lady, returning to her front row seat behind the plate and brushing the protective net, was caught flush in the back of the head by a foul ball. After 17 minutes, she was carried off in a stretcher. She was conscious and gave a thumbs up on her way out, and we hope she's doing well. It was a scary moment.
• IF Justin Sellers (sprained Achilles) was taken off the DL and sent to the Bradenton Marauders on a rehab assignment.