Apr 8, 2002 3 min read

CHICAGO (AP) – Yes, it’s early. But after 100 losses a year ago, a fast start is refreshing for the Pittsburgh Pirates, even if it’s only five games. “I said all winter that the trials and tribulations we went through last year would make us a better club,” Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon said Sunday when his team’s chance to sweep a three-game series from the Chicago Cubs was put off by a rainout.

The Pirates headed back to Pittsburgh for their home opener, and with a win against Cincinnati on Monday they would be 5-1 for the first time since 1983.

“The kids are playing just as hard as they did last year,” McClendon said. “We’re just getting better results and some of our young kids are growing up. We took our knocks last year, dealt with them and we’re better because of it.”

Pittsburgh’s quick start has come without its best hitter. Brian Giles, who has batted .315, .315 and .309 since coming over from Cleveland three seasons ago, hasn’t played in any of the five games after pulling a muscle in his right side while taking batting practice last week in New York.

The up-the-middle defense has looked solid with Jack Wilson at shortstop and Pokey Reese, the former Red, manning second.

And in beating the Cubs on Friday and Saturday on cold, windy days at Wrigley Field, the Pirates got strong pitching from youngsters Dave Williams and Josh Fogg. Fogg, a rookie acquired in a deal with the White Sox that also landed Pittsburgh Sean Lowe and Kip Wells for Todd Ritchie, pitched seven shutout innings in his first major league start Saturday.

The Pirates also are waiting hopefully for the return of Kris Benson, who won 11 and 10 games in 1999 and 2000 before missing last year because of elbow reconstruction surgery. He’s currently on a rehab assignment in the minors.

By contrast, the Cubs are struggling at 1-4 and have scored just one run in each of their last three games. They’re batting .186 in those three games, including 1-for-21 with runners in scoring position.

The weather has been miserable since the Cubs left Arizona, but it’s no excuse. As most Chicago baseball fans and players know, it’s seldom nice in the upper Midwest in early April. Rains, cold winds, low temperatures and snow flurries are commonplace.

“The weather is not going to change. It’s something you have to deal with. It’s not pleasant,” Cubs manager Don Baylor said. “But they play in it, also.”

The Cubs certainly miss Bill Mueller and Moises Alou, who are injured.

“There always seems to be one inning if we could just get a two-out hit, we’re right in the game,” Baylor said.

“We need Moises in the lineup,” said Sammy Sosa, who has three homers this season, but just one other hit in 19 at-bats.

Sosa says the Cubs can’t wait for warm weather to start hitting.

“Nobody wants to play in cold weather, but there isn’t warm weather early in the season. You have to make adjustments. It’s our job.”

NOTES: Sunday’s postponement will be made up as part of a May 21 doubleheader starting at 5:05 p.m. EDT. … LHP Ron Villone (0-1), scheduled to start Sunday, will face the Reds on Monday. Kip Wells (1-0) will now pitch in Wednesday’s game against Cincinnati. Chicago’s Jon Lieber (0-0), Sunday’s slated starter, is to face the Mets when they come to Wrigley Field on Tuesday.