PITTSBURGH - Almost lost amid all the Cubs runs and Pirates errors Friday night was the fact that outfield prospect Brett Jackson was almost lost to injury on a scary crash into the wall in the sixth inning.

With the Cubs leading by seven and two Pirates on with two out, Jackson sprinted to the wall and leaped into a padded support post to rob Andrew McCutchen of a two-run, extra-base hit - then crumpled to the ground and stayed there for a couple of minutes.

Jackson eventually left the field under his own power, and x-rays were negative. But his right knee was bleeding and badly bruised, and he'll miss at least Saturday's game.

``I did a little inventory check when I was down,'' he said. ``I got my knee pretty good, but it's good though. It looks like it's just going to be a pretty bad bruise.''

He also banged his head on the chain link part of the fence making the spectacular catch - which manager Dale Sveum called ``crucial'' at that point in the 12-2 victory.

``I just got up a little dizzy and seeing stars,'' said Jackson, who admitted to be being especially determined on that ball after just missing a similar catch in the fifth for what became the only hit allowed by Travis Wood in six scoreless innings pitched.

``I was pissed I missed the first one,'' he said. ``It was almost inexcusable. I wasn't going to let the other one drop.''

Wood said his excitement at seeing the catch quickly turned to worry when Jackson didn't get up right away.

``Then the first thing he said to me when he got back to the dugout,'' Wood said, ``was, `I got that one.' ''