[Operation Shutdown]

Week 4
This week the Pirates finish off a 12-game homestand, starting with three games against the Padres who are 6-13. The Pirates then face the Giants, who are 13-7, in a three game series.

Game 19: Pirates 3 Padres 7
This game was no contest, as the Padres controlled the game throughout the nine innings. they scored five runs off of Josh Fogg, who pitched 6 1/3 innings and picked up the loss. The Padres got a good outing from Jake Peavy, who gave up just two runs in seven innings for the win. Giles hit a homerun against his former team, along with Castilleja, Klesko and Vazquez.

Game 20: Pirates 6 Padres 7
This was another game blown by the bullpen. Dave Williams worked just 4 1/3 innings, but gave up just one unearned run. He was pulled in the fifth inning with back spasms and will likely miss the next 3 weeks. Jason Beverlin gave up four runs in five innings. The Pirates had a 4-2 lead heading into the eighth inning. Kendall lead off the inning with a single off of Solomon Torres. Corey then came in and got Gautreau to ground into a fielders choice at first base, just beating out the double play. Jim Mann then came into the inning and surrendered a two-run homerun to Giles to tie the game at 4-4. The Pirates regained the lead in the bottom half of the eight when Mackowiak hit a solo homer off of Duncan. With one out in the top of the ninth, Mann walked Castillaja. He then got Hunter to ground into a fielder's choice to the pitcher, again just beating out a double play ball. Mann then hit Kendall with a pitch, and then gave up a three run homer to Gautreau to give the Padres the lead again. The Pirates then threatened in the bottom of the ninth, when with one out and Davis on second from a lead-off double, Kotsay smashed a ball to the nook in deep-left center field. The catch was made with Giles up against the wall, and Davis tagged to third base. Hill then singled home Davis, but Nady grounded out to end the threat and the game. Mann got the loss for the Pirates, and Duncan got the win and Speier the save for the Padres.

Williams was placed on the 15-man DL and Grabow was promoted to take his spot in the rotation.

Game 21: Pirates 1 Padres 5
A Ponson versus Brian Lawrence matchup would seem to have benefited the Pirates and meant a sure win for them. However, Pirates bats managed to get just four hits, and didn't score in Lawrence's seven innings of work. He picked up the win. The only run came from a solo homer by Craig Wilson off of Duncan in the eighth inning. Ponson gave up just five hits and two unearned runs in seven innings, but picked up the loss. Sauerbeck surrendered the other three runs in his two innings of work.

Series Recap: Getting swept by the Padres. Pitiful!

Game 22: Pirates 3 Giants 5
Pirates' Kris Benson would give anything to have the fifth inning of tonight's game back. In that inning he gave up five runs, including a grand slam to Barry Bonds. He worked a total of 4 1/3 innings, picking up the loss. The Pirates scored two runs, one of which was earned, off of starter Jerome Williams, who worked 7 1/3 innings and got the win. Felix Rodriguez gave up on unearned run in the bottom of the ninth, but held on for the save, his 7th of the year.

Game 23: Pirates 4 Giants 10
The Pirates managed to score three runs against Pedro Martinez who went six innings for the win. That didn't matter much, as the Giants managed to score five runs, four earned, off of Perez in 2 1/3 innings, and then four more runs, three earned, off of Vogelsong in 2/3 of an inning.

Game 24: Pirates 8 Giants 2
The Pirates finally redeemed themselves with a win, snapping their five game losing streak. Fogg gave up just one run in five innings, earning the win. Foppert gave up four runs, three earned in 5 1/3 innings. The Pirates added insurance in the bottom of the eighth, scoring four runs off of Chad Zerbe.

Series Recap: The Pirates have return to their ways of winning 1 out of 3. In fact that is just what they are averaging this year, as they now have a record of 8-16.

Around the league, on Wednesday, Boston's Nomar Garciaparra hit for the cycle against the Anaheim Angels. On Friday, Arizona's left fielder Luis Gonzalez hit a double in the third inning off of Cincinatti's Ty Howington, for his 2000th career hit.