Cubs beat Pirates 4-1 behind Lee, Wells

[July 02, 2009]  PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Derrek Lee and Kosuke Fukudome homered to support Randy Wells' seven effective innings and the Chicago Cubs won another series from division opponent Pittsburgh, beating the Pirates 4-1 on Wednesday night.

With Wells (3-3) limiting the Pirates to one run and six hits in his third consecutive victory, the Cubs took two of three in Pittsburgh to avoid falling three games under .500 for the first time since they were 36-39 in 2007.

Chicago has won eight of its last nine series against the last-place Pirates dating to the teams' final matchup in 2007, sweeping them four times. The Cubs have won 21 of their last 27 overall against the Pirates, who trail the Cubs by 2 1/2 games despite having an 11-23 record in the NL Central. The Cubs have won nine of their last 12 in PNC Park.

Wells, lost by Chicago in the December 2007 draft only to get him back from Toronto last season, has been a pleasant surprise to a team that has been set back by injuries all season. The right-hander has won his last three starts -- for his first three career victories -- by allowing five runs over 20 2-3 innings, a 2.18 ERA.

Wells, given a 2-0 lead on Lee's two-run drive three batters into the game, gave a run back on Andrew McCutchen's double and Brandon Moss' RBI single in the bottom of the inning, but didn't permit the Pirates anything after that. Wells struck out four and walked one, allowing only one runner to reach third after the first.

Wells gave up three singles in the fifth, but the Pirates -- down 2-1 -- ran themselves out of a potential rally when Jack Wilson was easily thrown out at the plate by rookie left fielder Sam Fuld to end the inning, stranding two runners.

Fuld, making his first start this season and second in the majors, doubled off Virgil Vasquez for his first career hit ahead of Lee's 12th homer. Fuld also singled while reaching base three times. Geovany Soto had two more hits to go 5 of 10 in the series.

Carlos Marmol followed Wells with a scoreless eighth and Kevin Gregg finished up for his 14th save in 17 opportunities, with neither reliever permitting a hit.

Vasquez (1-1), coming off a 5-3 decision over Kansas City on Friday, gave up six hits and three runs in six innings. Fukudome made it 3-1 with a drive into the seats in right-center on Vasquez's 3-2 pitch in the sixth.

NOTES: Chicago has won seven of its eight series against Pittsburgh the last two seasons, including both this season. ... The Cubs went 3-7 on a 10-game trip. They return home for their final 11 games before the All-Star break. ... Cubs 3B Aramis Ramirez (shoulder) begins a rehabilitation assignment with Class A Peoria on Friday and could return as early as Monday. The Cubs are 21-24 without him. ... Cubs RF Milton Bradley returned to the lineup after sitting out one game to work with hitting coach Von Joshua. ... Despite losing two of three to the Cubs, the Pirates have won 10 of their last 15 at home. ... The Pirates stay at home to play a makeup game against the Mets on Thursday.

[Associated Press; By ALAN ROBINSON]

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