Pirates Blast Cubs Behind Kevin Correia’s Gem

Starting pitcher Kevin Correia continues to be, far and away, the Pirates’ best offseason signing. He leads all of Major League Baseball in wins (7) and is second in the team’s rotation in ERA (3.44).  The 30-year-old has allowed two or less earned runs in seven of his ten starts with the Pirates, and opponents carry just a .262 average against him. Correia threw 7.1 scoreless innings this afternoon against the Chicago Cubs, leading the Pirates to a 4-2 victory. Pittsburgh’s offense had a nice day at the plate as well. Lead-off man Jose Tabata had a hit, Andrew McCutchen went two-for-four, raising his season average to .251 and continuing his hot streak, and Matt Diaz hit his sixth double of the season. The game was more lopsided than the final score indicates. The Bucs held a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the ninth when reliever Joe Beimel entered the game. After allowing a two-run home run to Alfonso Soriano, Beimel was yanked in favor of closer Joel Hanrahan,...