Pittsburgh Pirates look towards another strong rebound

May 22, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Francisco Liriano (47) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

With the first two months of the baseball season in the books, the Pittsburgh Pirates have posted a fantastic 34-21 record.

But in the last game of May, the Buccos put up a less than stellar effort versus Reds pitcher Joey Cueto, whom allowed only one hit through eight innings. After suffering their first home shutout of the season, the Pirates send pitcher Francisco Liriano (3-1), coming off his first loss of the season, against Mike Leake (4-2).

Last time out versus the Detroit Tigers on Memorial Day, Liriano allowed eight hits and five runs after only five innings pitched in a game the Pirates eventually lost 6-5.

Leake allowed two runs off five hits in a 7.1-inning no-decision outing against the Cleveland Indians in his last outing..

In their last two series, the Pirates dropped the first game before taking the final two games from Milwaukee, outscoring the Brewers 10-6, and the final three games from Detroit, outscoring the Tigers 7-3.

They will need another big bounceback performance to start the month of June hot and possibly create some distance between themselves and the Cincinnati Reds as both teams are on the heels of the first place St. Louis Cardinals.