Alvarez’s speed helps extend Cubs’ skid to 10

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Pedro Alvarez is in the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup every day because of his bat.

Turns out, the third baseman’s feet — not to mention his glove — work too.

Alvarez scored on an unconventional slide in the second inning for the game’s only run and turned in a couple of defensive gems to help the Pirates to a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night.

“I try to be ready every time on defense and anticipate the ball being hit to me,” Alvarez said. “Like I’ve said before, I take a lot of pride in my defense.”

A.J. Burnett and four relievers sent the listless Cubs to their 10th straight loss by surviving on a night the Pirates allowed 10 hits and ran into trouble in just about every inning.

Burnett (3-2) gave up six hits, struck out six and walked two over 5 1-3 innings and the National League’s best bullpen made it stand up as Pittsburgh extended Chicago starter Ryan Dempster’s misery. Joel Hanrahan worked out of a two-on, one out jam in the ninth for his 11th save.

Dempster (0-3) remains winless since last August, surrendering one run and seven hits in 71/3 innings, striking out six and walking one while dropping his ERA to 2.14.

Still, it wasn’t enough to keep the Cubs from posting their first 10-game losing streak since dropping the first 14 games of the 1997 season.

Chicago left 11 runners on base and went 0 for 12 with runners in scoring position. Pittsburgh wasn’t much better but only needed Rod Barajas’ RBI-single that scored Alvarez to beat the floundering Cubs.

“It’s unbelievable,” Chicago manager Dale Sveum said. “We out-hit the opponent every night and can’t score. We can’t seem to get that hit with men in scoring position.”

The Cubs started the season 13-11 but have sunk to the bottom of the NL Central thanks to an offense that has stopped producing. They have scored just four runs in their last 56 innings.