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PITTSBURGH -- The National League MVP doesnt play favourites when it comes to hot streaks. Clark Gillies Islanders Jersey . Neither do the Pittsburgh Pirates, who rode Andrew McCutchen to another win Wednesday. McCutchen homered and reached base four times and the Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 4-2 at rainy PNC Park on Wednesday night. McCutchen is batting .462 during a seven-game hitting streak and has 12 extra-base hits during 10 June games. "I dont compare (career-best stretches)," McCutchen said. "Im not big on that. Im just seeing the ball hitting the ball. Im in a spurt where Im feeling really good right now." So are the Pirates, who have taken two of the first three games of the series with their NL Central rivals. Pittsburghs Brandon Cumpton (2-2) pitched five effective innings, and the offence pounded Cubs starter Jason Hammel (6-4) for 11 hits in five innings, snapping his streaks of 14 1-3 innings without allowing a run and 52 innings without allowing a homer when McCutchen hit his 10th in the first. McCutchen also had a single and walked twice. "Hes hot," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "When he gets his pitch, hes not missing." Luis Valbuena likewise continued his recent strong hitting with three hits for last-place Chicago, which has lost three of four after a season-best five-game winning streak. The games first pitch was delayed 1 hour, 38 minutes because of a severe thunderstorm that began sweeping through downtown Pittsburgh about an hour before the scheduled start time. Rain fell again during the sixth inning. McCutchens fly ball landed more than a row into the left-field seats -- but it almost became an extra-long out when leftfielder Chris Coghlan leaped into the stands. He landed in the seats and said he had a read on the ball but that a fan outmanoeuvred him for it. "Best non-catch effort Ive ever seen," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said. "I would have went there and shook his hand myself if he caught that ball," McCutchen said. The Pirates Gregory Polanco went 1 for 5 with an RBI groundout a day after his much-hyped major league debut Tuesday. Making his sixth start of the season and fourth since being given a regular rotation spot, Cumpton allowed two runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts. On his final pitch, he struck out Nate Schierholtz swinging with the bases loaded. "Its something I need to work on, getting through the fifth and sixth innings," Cumpton said. "It was a good experience, a real confidence booster for me." Justin Wilson, Tony Watson, Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli followed with a hitless inning each. Grilli earned his 10th save of the season during what was his 400th career appearance. Hammel had won two previous starts against the Pirates this season and entered Wednesday with the second-best WHIP in the majors (0.88). He allowed 14 baserunners Wednesday. "It was rough," Hammel said with a laugh. "A lot of hits given up. Up in the zone. Obviously could have been better strikes thrown, but I battled through. It could have been a lot worse - 11 hits through five innings? Its amazing they only put up four." Hammel was spared a worse line by some poor baserunning by Pittsburgh, which hit into two peculiar double plays and had another runner thrown out at third during the seventh inning after Hammel was out of the game. The Pirates Starling Marte had two hits - including an RBI single in the fifth inning - but also was thrown out on the basepaths for the third time in two games when he was picked off third following a Travis Snider pop-up behind home plate in the fifth. The Cubs briefly tied the game at 2 in the second when John Bakers single drove in Valbuena and Nate Schierholtz scored on a groundout. Notes: Before the game, the Pirates places LHP Francisco Liriano on the disabled list because of a strained left oblique that caused him to leave his start Tuesday in the fourth inning. . The Cubs on Wednesday announced they signed their first-round draft pick, Indiana University catcher/outfielder Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber, the No. 4 overall selection, will report to the organizations short-season Class A affiliate in Boise, Idaho. . Pirates 2B Josh Harrison was removed from the game for a pinch hitter during the third inning because of discomfort in his left ankle. . A fireworks display - from the nearby annual Pittsburgh arts festival - rumbled PNC Park for several minutes during the fourth inning. . Pittsburghs Thursday scheduled starter, RHP Edionson Volquez, is 5-0 in his career against the Cubs. Chicagos probable starter, RHP Jeff Samardzija, has a 1.90 ERA in 71 career innings against the Pirates, including seven shutout innings on opening day at PNC Park. Ryan Pulock Islanders Jersey . Iwakuma pitched seven strong innings to stay unbeaten in road games since last July, leading the Seattle Mariners to a 5-2 win over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night. Thomas Greiss Islanders Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.islanderssale.com/authentic-andrew-ladd-islanders-jersey/ . Acclaimed by world football leaders but held in contempt by many football fans. Blatter should arrive at the Itaquerao stadium in Sao Paulo to watch host Brazil play Croatia confident that this tournament -- his fifth as president -- wont be his last leading the worlds favourite sport.Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Still in the Market TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun noted on ESPN.com that after being refused by Ottawa Senators forward Jason Spezza, the Nashville Predators remain in the market for a No. 1 centre. "If I had it on my wish list, I would like to get a No. 1 center, and were going to try to get that," Predators general manager David Poile said after the draft concluded on Saturday. "If that happens the next couple of days or it happens in free agency or it happens through a trade that would be great. If it doesnt happen right now, I have patience. I dont think we really have an age problem on our team, but I think were really getting the correct pieces in place to be a more competitive club than weve been in the last couple of years." LeBrun notes that the Predators could target Colorado Avalanche centre Paul Stastny on July 1 to fill their need. Second Chance? LeBrun adds that once Stastny is off the market, the Senators may have suitors contacting them for Spezza. "Well continue to talk and, over the course of time, Im sure people that miss out on July 1 may come knocking, but well have to wait and see," Senators general manager Bryan Murray said on Saturday. According to LeBrun, the St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks all remain interested in acquiring Spezza, though the Blackhawks will have trouble working Spezza into their salary cap. A source told LeBrun that the Blues werre in contact with the Senators on Sunday but declined to trade their second-round pick in a possible package. Casey Cizikas Jersey. Sources of LeBrun suggested Stars general manager Jim Nill has talked to the Senators about Spezza, as well as to the San Jose Sharks about Joe Thornton as he looks to add to his forward group. In his pursuit, Nill was told Thornton has no intention of waiving his no-movement clause to leave San Jose. Lebrun notes the Blues also have interest in Stastny, but roughly half the teams in the league have reached out Stastnys camp ahead of July 1. Flightless Birds? The Pittsburgh Penguins off-season "to-do" list may not include locking up Marc-Andre Fleury and Paul Martin long-term. According to Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writer Rob Rossi, the Penguins will likely let both start their contract years without new deals. New GM Jim Rutherford commented that talks with Fleurys agent were "unlikely to intensify" before the start of the regular season while Martin is believed to be favouring free agency following 2014-15. Rutherford also reportedly believes it is time for the Penguins NHL-ready defensive prospects to get an increased role with the team. One More Year? Detroit Red Wings forward Daniel Alfredssons agent J.P. Barry told LeBrun the 41-year-old is thinking of returning for a 19th NHL season. "I think hes leaning towards playing, we all think that," Barry said. "But at the same time he needs that time in the summer to feel 100 percent." ' ' '