Pittsburgh Pirates weekly report

On May 27, the Pirates managed to tie the game against the Chicago Cubs in the top of the seventh, but the bullpen sank the Bucs' hopes in the 5-2 loss. Nyjer Morgan manufactured the tying run in the seventh by singling, advancing to third on an error and scoring on a wild pitch that led to the ejection of Chicago starter Carlos Zambrano. The bullpen gave up three runs in the eighth, and Jesse Chavez (0-2) took the loss.

On May 29, the Pirates opened the series with the Houston Astros on a down note, falling 6-1. Though he was backed by some solid defensive plays, Ross Ohlendorf (5-5) took the loss after allowing four runs in five-plus innings, giving up eight hits, walking three and striking out five. The Bucs' only run scored in the bottom of the ninth on a sacrifice fly.

On May 30, the Pirates turned it around with a 7-4 win over the Astros. They sent eight batters to the plate in the first inning for three runs as Nyjer Morgan worked his sixth leadoff walk of the season to get things started, and four straight singles followed, and the Bucs added two runs each in the fifth and eighth innings. The offense went a long way to support Jeff Karstens (2-2), who pitched six innings, giving up two earned runs, walking one and striking out four.

On Sunday, the Pirates fell short 2-1 against the Astros as the offense fizzled after a Nate McLouth homer in the first inning. Paul Maholm (3-2) pitched well, but an unearned run in the seventh after a passed ball by catcher Robinzon Diaz with runners on first and second, followed by a single, proved decisive. Maholm pitched seven innings, giving up eight hits, one earned run, walking two and striking out four.

On Monday, Ian Snell got off to a shaky start against the New York Mets and the Bucs were behind 5-0 after three innings. But the Pirates came back strong with three runs in the fourth and a five-run outburst in the eighth when the Bucs sent 10 men to the plate. Tom Gorzelanny (3-1) picked up the win as the Pirates' bats prevented Snell from becoming the National League's first seven-game loser.

On Tuesday, Zach Duke (6-4) notched his sixth win of the season as the Pirates beat the Mets 3-1. Jason Jaramillo hit his first career homer as the Bucs overcame an otherwise good performance from Met starter Johan Santana to take their second straight game. Duke pitched seven innings, giving up eight hits and one earned run.