Pittsburgh Pirates weekly report

The Pirates started the week on May 6 with a 4-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Zach Duke fell to 3-3, pitching 5 1/3 innings, giving up six hits, four earned runs, two walks and two strikeouts. An early rally in the second inning died when Nyjer Morgan's single drove in Delwyn Young, but Jason Jaramillo was thrown out at the plate.

The losses continued for the Pirates on May 7 with a 5-2 loss. Ross Ohlendorf fell to 3-3 on the season, pitching six innings, giving up seven hits, five earned runs, walking one and striking out five. Robinzon Diaz drilled his first homer in the losing effort.

The Pirates' skid continued as they arrived in New York to play the Mets on May 8 and lost 7-3. Starter Jeff Karstens did what he could to put an end to the slide, but the bullpen allowed five runs in the eighth inning and the offense couldn't execute properly. Tyler Yates (0-2) took the loss after giving up three hits and three earned runs in one inning of work.

On May 9, the only bright spot was Paul Maholm's first career home run, but he picked up his first loss of the season against three wins as the Mets continued their winning streak in a 10-1 win over the Pirates. Maholm gave up 10 hits and seven earned runs as the Pirates lost their seventh in a row.

On Sunday, the Pirates' doldrums continued in their 8-4 loss to the Mets. Ian Snell fell to 1-5 on the season despite six solid innings and a two-run lead going into the bottom of the fourth. Snell gave up six hits and three earned runs, walking one and striking out five as the Pirates lost their eighth straight.

On Tuesday, the Pirates returned to the win column with a 7-1 trouncing of the St. Louis Cardinals. Zach Duke (4-3) allowed one run on four hits in eight innings and the Bucs' bats did their part to end their eight-game losing streak. Brandon Moss was 3-for-4 with a two-run homer, and Adam LaRoche went deep for the sixth time this year.