Worley displays mettle in tough spots

PITTSBURGH -- Vance Worley limited the Cubs to one unearned run over 5 2/3 innings en route to the victory in the Pirates' 4-3 win on Wednesday night at PNC Park.

It was a windy, snowy affair and Worley battled through it, working around six hits and two walks while striking out five.

"I kept the runs off the board and I had good defense working behind me," Worley said. "Me and Francisco Cervelli have been getting on the right page with each other and going right after guys."

Worley wiggled out of a key bases-loaded jam with two outs in the fifth inning. After falling behind Cubs rookie third baseman Kris Bryant, 3-0, Worley came after Bryant to work the count full before getting him to fly out to right to end the inning. That came after Worley escaped a jam in the third, retiring Jorge Soler and Anthony Rizzo with runners on second and third.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle was impressed with Worley's moxie.

"He is a tough, tough guy, and he's got a lot of fight and a lot of competitive spirit," Hurdle said. "And he doesn't back down and he doesn't back away."