I saw an interesting highlight to the Kansas City Royals-Pittsburgh Pirates game on Saturday.

Following the final out, a fly ball in the top of the ninth inning, a group of five Pirates players sprinted to each other, then playfully, joyfully, leaped in the air, their backs turned to bump into each other.

Pittsburgh had just defeated the Royals 6-2, but all I could think about was why were these guys happy?

• Maybe they were just thrilled to win before a packed house at PNC Park and, like the crowd, were eagerly awaiting the fireworks display?

• Perhaps it was because they had just won their fourth game in the past five — the only loss a four-run ninth-inning rally against Cleveland that came up short?

• Could it have been because they guaranteed they had a winning record in interleague games for just the second time (8-7 in 2001) in the 12 years Major League Baseball has had it?

The win moved the team to 35-39 through Saturday, making a nice rebound after sinking to a season-low eight games under .500 (31-39) as of last Tuesday.

• Or maybe, just maybe, these players, who have had an infusion of young talent, especially since the promotion of outfielder Andrew McCutchen, were just thrilled to be playing baseball at the major league level?

I'm starting to think that's the reason they're celebrating.

I know as much as anyone how little it takes to make Pirates fans optimistic. A five- or six-game winning streak and everyone finally starts believing — or wants to believe — that this is it. This is when the Pirates turn it all around and start returning to their rightful place in the major leagues.

It could all start with McCutchen, who was promoted from Class AAA when outfielder Nate McLouth was traded to the Atlanta Braves. The youngster is batting .309 through Saturday and has scored 16 runs in 101 at-bats, four doubles, five triples, one homer, 18 RBI and four stolen bases in basically his first month of the major leagues.

Second baseman Freddy Sanchez, a former National League batting champion, is hitting .317, third baseman Andy LaRoche .269, first baseman Adam LaRoche .264 and catchers Jason Jaramillo and Robinzon Diaz have combined for 33 RBI and are playing well in Ryan Doumit's absence.

Basically, it appears everyone is finally making contributions at the same time. Not dominating, but very respectable.

The team has moved players, such as McLouth, Jason Bay and Xavier Nady, to stockpile some talent until the drafting by team president Frank Coonelly and general manager Neal Huntington begins to take hold.

It's just been unfortunate that it took someone in the front office a little too long to send starting pitcher Ian Snell down to the minor leagues to right himself.

Snell had a 2-8 record and a 5.36 ERA and never seemed to embrace pitching coach Joe Kerrigan's philosophy of pitching inside.

Aside from Snell, the starters have done an admirable job, posting a 4.31 ERA, including Snell, about one run per game less than a year ago.

I count myself as one of those hopeful that any winning streak will be the next to right the Pirates' ship.

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.