Cruising a blue streak

PITTSBURGH — The Cubs have a long way to go before proving this isn't just another meaningless tease.

But Thursday's 7-6 comeback victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates gave the Cubs a historic finish to their road trip.

The season-high five straight wins not only puts them just one shy of matching their longest streak in three years but is starting to evoke fond and distant memories for the embattled manager.

''There's been a lot of stuff, really, in the last 20 games, that have gotten better,'' manager Mike Quade said. ''A few of those games have gotten away from us. But we get [closer Carlos Marmol] back right and then we pitch it the way we have, and I feel like I …