Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1

CHICAGO -- Brandon Cumpton pitched seven scoreless innings, Travis Snider hit a solo homer and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1 on Sunday. Cumpton (3-2) won his third straight decision as the Pirates won the last two games of the three-game series. Cumpton allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out four. The rookie right-hander retired 13 of the first 14 batters he faced. He allowed a walk to Nate Schierholtz in the fifth inning, but rebounded by getting John Baker to hit into an inning-ending double play. Ryan Sweeney reached on a single against Cumpton in the first inning and the other hit was by Cubs starting pitcher Jason Hammel in the sixth. Pirates closer Mark Melancon pitched the ninth for his 12th save in 15 chances. Melancon gave up back-to-back singles to Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro. Melancon then struck out Luis Valbuena and got Schierholtz to hit into a fielders choice as Rizzo scored. Melancon finished the game by getting Junior Lake to fly out. Gregory Polanco had his hitting streak snapped at 11 games. The Pirates rookie leadoff hitter had a hit in his first 11 major league games. He was 0 for 3 with a walk. Hammel (6-5) allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings. He struck out six and walked one. Hammels first pitch of the third inning was hit over the centre-field wall by Snider. It was Sniders fourth of the season. Later in the inning, Josh Harrison hit a liner right back at Hammel. The ball ricocheted off Hammels right side and allowed Chris Stewart to score from third. Harrison reached first base without a throw. Hammel was briefly looked at by a team trainer. Pirates reliever Tony Watson pitched out of trouble in the eighth. With runners on second and third with one out, Watson struck out pinch-hitters Welington Castillo and Justin Ruggiano. NOTES: Cubs OF Emilio Bonifacio has yet to return to baseball activities after being placed on the disabled list on June 13 with a rib injury. "Were still in the wait-and-see," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said. "Hes feeling better, hes not feeling any discomfort anymore." Renteria added that this type of injury can become chronic if not taken care of properly, so the Cubs are being as patient and proactive as possible to make sure Bonifacio is full recovered before returning to the active roster. ... Pirates 2B Neil Walker is expected to join the team in Tampa Bay on Monday. He has been on the DL since June 9 with an appendectomy. He is eligible to be reinstated on Tuesday. ... Pirates OF Starling Marte is expected to rejoin the club in Tampa on Monday. He is attending to a personal matter in the Dominican Republic. ... Before the game, the Cubs activated Castillo off the DL. He missed 18 games with a rib cage injury. 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Nike Air Max On Sale Australia .com) - Former foes from the Mountain West Conference battle in the 23rd annual Las Vegas Bowl, as the 23rd-ranked Utah Utes clash with the Colorado State Rams at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday. MINNEAPOLIS -- During a weekend trip to Boston, All-Star forward Kevin Love has been taking pictures with fans and seeing the sights, leading Celtics fans to speculate that hes going to follow in the footsteps of Kevin Garnett as the next Minnesota star to come to town and turn around a struggling franchise. Not so fast, Timberwolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders said. "The last I knew Kevin was under contract with us, and I expect him to be playing for us next year," Saunders said Sunday after a workout of draft prospects. "I dont really dictate where guys go on vacation or what they do. They can go wherever they want to go." Love can opt out of his contract after next season, and the three-time All-Star has yet to make the playoffs in six years with the Timberwolves. He was also angered when former executive David Kahn refused to give him a full, five-year extension and instead gave him a four-year deal with a player option after three. Thats led many to believe that he will leave next summer to play for a contender in a bigger market. "Yo (at)kevinlove if you need advice on moving from Minnesota to Boston just let me know .CityOfChamps," tweeted Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, who spent six years with the Minnesota Twins before signing with the Red Sox as a free agent and winning three World Series titles. The situation has prompted the Timberwolves to consider a trade to avoid losing Love without compensation. But Saunders has made it clear that he doesnt feel as though he has to make a move this summer. He views Love as one of the top offensive players in the league, a 25-year-old who has improved his game every off-season. So if other teams do want to get their hands on one of the NBAs top power forwards, it wont be easy. "I know theres a feeding frenzy out there from a lot of teams," Saunders said. "Unfortunately, they have no say. I plan on Kevin being here." If Saunders was posturing, he has good reason. The draft isnt until June 26, and the best offers from teaams desperate to land Love dont figure to start rolling in until the week of the draft, or perhaps not even until draft night, and Saunders has plenty of options.dddddddddddd He could move him right around draft time for what is expected to be a package that includes high picks and a veteran player or two. He could wait for July 1 and look to build a package around more established, veteran talent. Or he could hold on to Love, try to add a few pieces to a team that finished 10th in the West, and hire the right coach to replace the retired Rick Adelman and show Love that the team is headed in the right direction. It worked for the Portland Trail Blazers with LaMarcus Aldridge, and it worked years ago for the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant. The Wolves can also pay Love about $26.5 million more than any other team. And if Love still does depart after next summer, the Wolves wont be left empty-handed. Theyll have about $17 million in extra salary cap room to attack the free agent market, though luring stars to a wintry climate to play for a team that hasnt made the playoffs since 2004 has always proved to be a challenge. The next big step will be hiring a coach. The Wolves had discussions with Memphis Dave Joerger over Memorial Day weekend, but Joerger stayed with the Grizzlies, who sweetened his contract to remain with the 50-win team. Saunders said he will meet with Wolves owner Glen Taylor this week to evaluate the search, which has been influenced some by the uncertainty surrounding Love. When asked if he would have a coach in place by the June 26 draft, Saunders said "theres probably a better chance that we would than we wouldnt. Were not going to put a time frame on it." As for those excited Celtics fans, Saunders said they should calm down. But he knows they wont. "Theyre the same fans who thought they had Tim Duncan," he joked. "They still think they got Tim Duncan in the draft. Im not really sure, but the last I looked he was playing for San Antonio, Old Man Riverwalk." ' ' '