PITTSBURGH -- The Cubs arrived at PNC Park on Sunday morning in need of a better start from John Lackey and a road series victory. They packed up their bags and headed home Sunday afternoon with both in tow and a .500 record. Lackey pitched six strong innings, leading the Cubs to a 7-1 win and their first series win on the road since their last trip to Pittsburgh in late April.
Lackey hasn't kept the ball in the park lately -- a recurring problem for the veteran right-hander -- but he mostly kept the Pirates off the bases.