PITTSBURGH - The last time Albert Pujols encountered Pittsburgh reliever Matt Capps a month ago here, he was taking a 95 mph fastball off his left rib cage just after Skip Schumaker had hit a go-ahead homer off Capps. 

The Pirates open a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs on Monday afternoon at PNC Park. 

TheCubs' continued hitting problems have pushed them to the brink of elimination in yet a third race down the stretch. 

Daniel McCutchen is anxious to make his second major-league start Monday afternoon when he faces the visiting Chicago Cubs. 

--RHP Ross Ohlendorf became only the second pitcher in the Pirates' 123-year history to strike out the side on nine pitches when he performed the feat against St. 

--3B Neil Walker got his first major-league hit by lining a single to right field in the eighth inning off Jason Motte. 

Thanks to Garrett Jones and a rare failure by the Cardinals' Ryan Franklin, the Pittsburgh Pirates must wait at least a day to set one of the most unwanted records in pro sports. 

Soon, thePirates are going to make history. 

For at least one more day, thePirates held history at bay. 

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ThePirates see major league potential in Eric Hacker, a minor league pitcher they acquired yesterday from the New York Yankees in exchange for reliever Romulo Sanchez. 

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ThePirates have no long reliever. 

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One day after their lack of offense helped make them the victims of a ninth-inning comeback, the Pittsburgh Pirates had plenty of success at the plate.