CHICAGO – Matt Murton’s RBI single in the eighth inning gave the Chicago Cubs a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night.

With the score tied 1-1, John Grabow (0-1) issued a two-out walk to Todd Walker. Salomon Torres replaced him and gave up an infield single to Aramis Ramirez. Murton then singled up the middle past a diving Jack Wilson to score Jerry Hairston Jr., who was running for Walker, from second.

The Pirates dropped to 1-13 on the road and 7-20 overall.

Bob Howry (2-0), the second of three Chicago pitchers, worked 2-3 of an inning for the win. Ryan Dempster pitched the ninth for his seventh save in as many chances. He extended his club record to 25 straight, dating to last season.

Cubs rookie starter Sean Marshall gave up just one hit in his first six innings, throwing 57 pitches in that span. The 6-foot-7 Marshall, trying to start 3-0, gave up one run and four hits in 7 1-3 innings, his longest outing of the season. He struck out five, walked one and threw 91 pitches.

Wilson and Jason Bay hit consecutive singles to lead off the seventh for the Pirates. Wilson moved to third by seemingly avoiding third baseman Ramirez’s tag on a grounder by Craig Wilson. Ramirez thought he tagged Jack Wilson with his glove and threw Bay out at second. After arguments from Ramirez and Cubs manager Dusty Baker, Wilson then scored on a groundout from Joe Randa to tie the game at 1-1.

Marshall walked Ronny Paulino and Jose Castillo before striking out pinch-hitter Chris Duffy in the eighth. Marshall left a standing ovation.

Juan Pierre led off the Cubs’ first with a single, stole second and scored when Pirates starter Victor Santos committed a throwing error on Ronny Cedeno’s bunt.

Santos gave up five hits and one unearned run in seven innings. He struck out six, walked one and hit a batter.

Notes: Before the game the Cubs recalled LHP Rich Hill from Triple-A Iowa to take Glendon Rusch’s spot in the starting rotation. Rusch is 1-4 with an 8.46 ERA in five starts and will move to the bullpen. … The Cubs sent RHP David Aardsma to Triple-A Iowa. The reliever was 1-0 with a 10.50 ERA in four appearances. … Cedeno was thrown out stealing second in the first inning, after getting picked off first Sunday. … Santos went six innings in a 4-0 loss to St. Louis on April 19. … Frank Castillo in 1991 was the last Cub rookie starter to start 3-0. Castillo lost his next start.