The quintessential hard-nosed player, a leave-it-all-out-there-on-the-line-type of guy, Mientkiewicz made the start in Thursday's series finale and took his omnipresent passion and energy onto the field for a welcome change.

He funneled it into a 3-for-3 day at the plate along with two walks. In the three innings where the Pirates combined to score 10 of their 11 runs, Mientkiewicz was fueling the rally. He reached base first and scored in each of those innings.

"He's fun to watch. He's into the game," Pirates manager John Russell said. "Whether it's hitting or defense, he's a great influence on the club. He's a pure baseball player. He's a guy in his career that's never been given anything. He's had to work for everything, and I think that shows in his play."

For Mientkiewicz, who is not one to be shy with words, the transition from everyday player to a spectator on the bench has not been easy this season. Well aware of his role, however, the first baseman-turned-fill-in third baseman has begun to adapt his swing to accommodate his new position with the club.

Working with hitting coach Don Long, Mientkiewicz has shortened his swing, a change that both he and Long believe will be more conducive to pinch-hitting situations. After coming into Thursday's game with just six hits in his previous 41 at-bats, the new swing finally produced some results.

"I've taken some good swings lately, but I've had nothing to show for it," Mientkiewicz said. "When you don't have consistent at-bats, it's frustrating. By no means am I happy where I'm at, but at least I've hit some [balls] well two or three games in a row."

With the Cubs sending right-hander Sean Gallagher to the mound on Friday, Mientkiewicz was penciled into the lineup for his second straight start at third. It will be his seventh start of the season there.

The Pirates are 7-4 in games that Mientkiewicz has started. And while Mientkiewcz's contagious passion and hustle are factors that can't be tangibly attributed to that success, Russell said he has no doubt that Mientkiewcz's attitude has rubbed off on the team as a whole.

"Each play he's into, it's almost like the last play he's going to make," Russell said. "You hear guys say that -- play that game like it's the last game of your career -- and he's kind of the epitome of that. He really shows the energy and the preparation and the concentration when he's out there doing his job."