The Pirates managed just five hits in falling quietly to the Chicago Cubs, 2-0, this afternoon before 15,260 at PNC Park.

That extended the Pirates' losing streak to a season-high seven and gave Chicago a three-game sweep.

Zach Duke pitched well -- two runs, seven hits over eight innings -- but that was too much on this day: The Cubs scored both of those runs in the seventh inning, despite striking only one ball with any authority.

Reed Johnson opened with a bunt single, and Mark DeRosa doubled him to third. Ronny Cedeno's groundout scored one run, Henry Blanco's suicide squeeze another.

The Cubs' Jason Marquis pitched seven scoreless innings.