Pirates 2, Cubs 0

Hero: Reliever Brian Schlitter has been impressive in both of his major league appearances. On Wednesday, the 24-year-old right-hander allowed one hit, struck out one, and walked none over two shutout innings.

Goat: Aramis Ramirez went 2-for-4 for just his fifth multi-hit game of the season, but his fielding error on an Andy LaRoche grounder in the eighth inning paved the way for two unearned Pittsburgh runs.

Key Play: Garrett Jones doubled into the left-center gap off Andrew Cashner (0-3) to score LaRoche with the game's first run in the eighth inning. Jones,a graduate of Andrew High School in Tinley Park, is 17-for-44 (.386) with five doubles, three homers, and 13 RBI in 12 games against the Cubs in 2010. His slugging average against the North Siders is .682 this season.

Comments: One-third of the Pirates' win total has come against the Cubs. Pittsburgh, which is 27-51, has taken nine of 12 from the North Siders.

The Cubs managed just five hits as Pittsburgh rookie Brad Lincoln (1-2) earned his first major league win. In his fifth big league start, Lincoln allowed just four hits over seven innings. The 25-year-old right-hander struck out six and walked one.

The Cubs have scored three or fewer runs in nine of their last 10 games, including one run or fewer in six of those games.

"This game was a synopsis of our season," Lou Piniella said. "You have to score to win games."

Next: The Cubs (34-44), who have lost 10 straight series openers and dropped nine of those series, begin a huge four-game series against the first-place Cincinnati Reds (44-35) at Wrigley Field on Thursday (CSN, 1:20 p.m.). The fourth-place Cubs, who were 10-16 in June, trail the Reds by 9.5 games.

Carlos Silva (8-2, 3.01 ERA) will aim for his first win since June 7. Travis Wood, a 23-year-old left-hander, will make his major league debut for Cincinnati. Wood was 5-6 with a 3.12 ERA in 15 starts at Triple-A Louisville this year. He walked 23 and struck out 97 in 98 innings.

The Cubs dropped two of three in Cincinnati twice this season (April 9-11, May 7-9).