Sutcliffe keeps Cubs rolling

CUBS 3 PIRATES 2

PITTSBURGH The Cubs won again - and the pleasure was all RickSutcliffe's.

Making his first start since being left in Arizona to continuehis shoulder rehabilitation from last May's shoulder-cartilageoperation, Sutcliffe combined with Heathcliff Slocumb and PaulAssenmacher to beat the Pirates 3-2 Thursday night.

It was the Cubs' sixth victory in a row after starting theseason 1-3.

It was Sutcliffe's first triumph since Oct. 1, 1989.

"It feels good just to be one of the guys again," he said aftersix innings of two runs, four hits, two walks and two strikeouts.

"I didn't know what to expect, but I seemed to get stronger …