CHICAGO, April 5 (UPI) -- David Williams tossed six superb innings Friday, the bullpen did its job and Rob Mackowiak -- filling in for an injured Brian Giles -- keyed a two-run seventh as the Pirates edged the Chicago Cubs, 2-1.
Pittsburgh improved to 3-1 and is two games over .500 for the first time since July 2, 1999, when it was 40-38. Williams (1-0) spearheaded the effort, allowing a run and two hits. The 23-year-old lefthander walked three, struck out eight and made just one mistake -- a controversial home run by Sammy Sosa in the sixth.
Sean Lowe and Joe Beimel combined to work a scoreless seventh, Mike Fetters retired a batter in the eighth and, after Scott Sauerbeck walked the only batter he faced, Brian Boehringer set down the final two batters in the eighth.
Mike Williams struck out one in a perfect ninth to notch his league-leading third save. The Pittsburgh bullpen has allowed just one run in its last seven innings.
Cubs starter Jason Bere (0-1) allowed two runs -- one earned -- and five hits in 6 2/3 innings. He walked none and struck out six.
