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(Sports Network) - The Chicago Cubs take aim at their fourth straight win at PNC Park this evening when they open a three-game set with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Chicago has dominated the Bucos this season, winning eight of its nine matchups with them, including a three-game sweep in the Steel City from April 7-9. The Cubs are also 11-1 in their last 12 meetings with the Pirates dating back to last season.

The Cubs, though, enter tonight's tilt reeling a little bit after dropping two of their final three games with the Houston Astros, including a 5-3 setback in Wednesday's finale. Derrek Lee launched a two-run homer, while Micah Hoffpauir recorded two doubles and scored once in the loss.

Sean Gallagher (1-1) absorbed the loss in his first career road start, surrendering eight hits and five runs while striking out four over 4 2/3 innings. The Chicago bullpen kept the game close, working 3 1/3 scoreless stanzas.

Hoping to get the Cubs back in the win column this evening will be ace right- hander Carlos Zambrano, who is 6-1 with a 2.45 earned run average. Zambrano pushed his unbeaten streak to seven games on Saturday with a no-decision against Pittsburgh, as he surrendered five runs (four earned) and seven hits in four frames of his team's 7-6 loss.

Zambrano is 9-6 lifetime against the Pirates with a 4.01 ERA in 21 games, 19 of which have been starts. He is also 5-1 with a 3.11 ERA in eight career starts in the Steel City

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, will pin its hopes on lefty Zach Duke, who opposed Zambrano on Saturday. Duke also did not get a decision in that one, allowing four runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings. He is 2-2 with a 4.23 ERA on the year.

Duke has faced the Cubs 11 times and is 4-3 with a 2.84 ERA.

Pittsburgh snapped a three-game losing streak on Thursday, as Nate McLouth went 4-for-4 and scored three runs, helping the Pirates avoid a sweep with an 8-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in the finale of a three-game set.

Jason Bay added a two-run homer, while Xavier Nady went 2-for-3 with a solo homer.

Tom Gorzelanny (4-4) earned the win after allowing two runs on eight hits over five-plus innings, walking four and fanning two.