Pittsburgh Pirates weekly report

The Pirates on Wednesday came close but lost 4-3 to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Andy LaRoche had a two-run homer and Ross Ohlendorf held the Diamondbacks to one run over six innings, but it all came apart in the top of the eighth as Arizona plated three runs. Joel Hanrahan (1-4) took the loss with two runs given up, none earned, and one walk.

On Thursday, the Pirates fell for the fifth straight time and were swept by the Diamonbacks in their three-game series. Kevin Hart gave up three runs in six innings in his debut with the Bucs and a four-run sixth put him on the road to a win, but the bullpen yielded three runs to tie the game and Arizona plated five in the top of the 12^th inning to win 11-6. Steven Jackson (2-2) took the loss, pitching two innings and giving up six hits, five runs (four earned), walking three and striking out one.

The Pirates on Friday fell again, losing 6-4 to the St. Louis Cardinals at home. The Bucs carried a 4-3 lead into the top of the seventh, but the Cards came back off starter Paul Maholm to tie it, and the bullpen lost it. Jose Ascanio (0-2) pitched two innings, giving up three hits, two earned runs and striking out one.

Saturday was no better for the Pirates as the bullpen failed again and the Cardinals won 5-3. Reliever Chris Bootcheck surrendered four runs in the top of the sixth, and two runs in the last of the ninth weren't enough for the Bucs. Starter Charlie Morton (2-5) was hung with the loss, pitching five innings and giving up seven hits, one earned run, walking two and striking out three.

On Sunday, the Pirates lost their eighth straight and were swept for the second straight time as the Cardinals erased an early 3-0 Bucs lead to win 7-3. Matt Capps (2-7) came in with a one-run lead and allowed the go-ahead home run and more in the Cards' five-run top of the eighth. Zach Duke started, but Capps lost it in relief and faced just two batters. He gave up one hit, two earned runs and one homer.

The Pirates on Tuesday broke their winless streak with a 7-3 win over the Colorado Rockies. Some hustle by Ryan Doumit, who scored on a wild pitch, and Delwyn Young's triple in a four-run third inning put the Bucs on top and gave Ross Ohlendorf (10-8) his 10^th win of the season. Ohlendorf pitched six innings, giving up six hits, three earned runs, two homers, walking two and striking out three.