although he could be forgiven for having mixed feelings about

PITTSBURGH -- The National League MVP doesnt play favourites when it comes to hot streaks. 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. Cheap Panthers Jerseys China . Sami Salo scored two goals as the Canucks overcame a hat-trick from Edmonton Oiler rookie sensation Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to win 4-3 in NHL action Saturday. Cheap Florida Panthers Jerseys . The veteran fighter will be squaring off with Henderson in a five-round lightweight bout as part of another network televised card at the United Center on Saturday night. http://www.cheapfloridapanthersjerseys.com/ . Watch the action live on TSN and listen on TSN 1050 Radio beginning at 7pm et/4pm pt. The Raptors maintained their spot atop the Atlantic Friday after defeating the Wizards, 96-88, for their second win in a row. Wholesale Panthers Jerseys .ca has you covered for whos in, whos out and what to expect from all 30 teams. Cheap Panthers Jerseys . Just ask last seasons Supporters Shield winners, the New York Red Bulls, who were resoundingly defeated last weekend by a rampant Vancouver Whitecaps in a match which produced two contenders for MLS Goal of the Week from Sebastian Fernandez and Pedro Morales.Robbie Keane says there is no question he can score goals at Euro 2016, despite fast approaching his 36th birthday. The LA Galaxy striker is the Republic of Irelands record goalscorer, netting 67 times in 143 appearances, although all five of those he scored in qualification for France came against Gibraltar.Shane Long, who scored the winning goal in a famous victory over Germany to rekindle their hopes of making the finals, has taken over Keanes mantle in recent months, but the former Tottenham forward is confident he can still cut it at the top level. Keane in action for the Republic of Ireland against Germany in qualifying for Euro 2016 He said: Yes, of course, theres no question about it. Just because Ive been around for a long, long time - there are other players at this tournament who are the same age as me, but maybe started their careers internationally a little bit later than I did.There are certainly goals left in me, theres no question about that. Ive been doing it since I was 17 years of age and Ive continued to do it and I have been consistent in doing that, so theres no question about that.Im fairly confident in my ability when given the opportunity. First and foremost, Ill do my best for the team, but if theres a chance there, hopefully Ill take it. Zlatan: The legend can deliver Zlatan IIbrahimovic says he is still a legend ahead of the Euro 2016 tie with Republic of Ireland Keane will hope to get his chance as the Republic launch their Group E campaign against Sweden at the Stade de France on Monday evening, although he could be forgiven for having mixed feelings about his return to the Saint Denis venue.ddddddddddddIn November 2009 his first-half goal dragged Ireland back into their World Cup play-off against France, only for Thierry Henrys handball to set up an equaliser for William Gallas.Asked for his memories of that night, Keane said: Id forgotten about it until you brought it up there. Clearly I remember. The Republic of Ireland get their Euro 2016 campaign underway on Monday Its something that, like any game that youve played before, you have to forget about it as soon as possible because this is a completely different situation.We are playing against a completely different team and as a group of players, and certainly me and the coaching staff, we are fully focused on the Swedish game. Im not one to dwell on the past; I am just looking forward to tomorrows game.Catch up with all the latest Euro 2016 news with Euro Breakfast each morning on Sky Sports News HQ from 6am. Also See: ONeill: Zlatan not over-rated Rep Ireland v Sweden preview Walters fit for opener What will Ibrahimovic bring? ' ' '