[Operation Shutdown]

Week 3
This week, the Pirates continue their homestand with a four game series against the Brewers who are 5-7 and whom the Pirates are 2-1 against. They then travel to Chicago for a three game series against the Cubs who are currently 7-5, and whom the Pirates are 2-1 against this year.

Game 13: Pirates 7 Brewers 4
Neither starter got the win in this game, as it was decided late in the game. Perez gave up four runs in 6 2/3 innings and Neugebauer gave up three runs in five innings. The Pirates were trailing this game 4-3 heading into the seventh inning, but Carlos Rivera tied things up in the bottom of the seventh when he hit a two out pinch hit solo homerun off of Jon Steitz. The Pirates then took the lead in the bottom of the eighth, when after a lead-off single by Hill, Nady hit a double down the left field line, scoring Hill. Craig Wilson then added some insurance runs with a two run homerun off of Dave Pember. The Pirates didn't look back, as Mann pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 2nd save of the year. Vogelsong got the win for the Bucs and Pember the loss for the Brewers. House's hitting streak came to an end as he went 0-4 with 2 K.

Game 14: Pirates 10 Brewers 2 Glove Day at PNC Park
The Pirates destroyed Burnett, as he gave up six runs in just 5 2/3 innings. VanBenSchoten pitched a great game, giving up no runs, just one hit and three walks in six innings. The two runs were scored off of Beimel in the seventh inning. The Pirates' fan interest increased slightly, YEAH, and they are now in a four way tie for first in the central division.

Game 15: Pirates 4 Brewers 8
Williams didn't have the greatest of games, giving up five runs in 5 2/3 innings. The bullpen also struggled, as Shields gave up one unearned run and Corey gave up two runs. Wayne Franklin picked up his first win of the season, giving up just two runs in six innings of work.

Game 16: Pirates 6 Brewers 3
This was another pretty close game. Ponson pitched a superb game, giving up just one run in 7 2/3 innings for the win. Valdes also did some decent work, giving up just two runs in six innings. the Pirates led the game 2-0 heading into the eighth inning. The Brewers brought the game to within one run, when Sexson singled home Batista in the top of the eighth. In the bottom of the eighth, with two outs, the Pirates decided that it would be nice to add some insurance runs. Nady, Craig Wilson, and Davis hit back-to-back-to-back singles that scored one run and put runners on at the corners for Drew Henson. Henson delivered with his first major league homerun, a shot that went deep to center field and traveled 441 feet. Those insurance runs proved to be needed as the Brewers in the ninth led off with a solo homerun by Carl Everett. They scored one more run when Ochoa and Ginter hit back to back doubles, but then Mann came in and shut things down getting two quick outs and picking up his third save.

Series Recap: 3 out of 4 is pretty good against the Brewers. You gotta figure the Brewers have to win every now and then. If the central division keeps up the way it's going, the Brewers will be the only team out of the race come the end of the season.

Game 17: Pirates 4 Cubs 6
Neither starter got a decision in this one as it again required extra innings to decide a winner. Benson lasted 6 innings, giving up three runs, and Zambrano went seven innings giving up four runs. The game was pretty much back and forth, with the Pirates scoring first, and then the Cubs answering back with the same amount of runs to tie it up, often in the bottom half of the same inning. Then in the bottom of the tenth, after getting two quick outs, Corey gave up a walk to Ojeda and was pulled from the game. Vogelsong then came in and gave up a two run walk off homerun to Mark Bellhorn to end the game. Corey got the loss, and Beltran picked up the win.

Game 18: Pirates 3 Cubs 4
Another tough loss for the Pirates. The Pirates started the first inning off with a one out three run homerun by JJ Davis. The Cubs, however, chipped away at that lead, one run at a time, scoring in the first, third, fourth, and seventh innings to take the lead 4-3. The Pirates had managed just one more hit until the eighth inning. Cota and McDougall lead off the inning with back to back singles. Kotsay then failed to move the runners over, as he bunted into a fielder's choice that got Cota out at third base. Kolb then came in and got Nady to ground out with a force out at second base, putting runners at the corners and two outs. Craig Wilson then grounded out back to the pitcher for the final out to end the threat. The Pirates had one more chance in the ninth when Davis hit a lead off single. However, Kolb got the next three batters to ground out to end the inning as he picked up his 4th save of the season. Thomson got the win giving up three runs in seven innings, and Perez got the loss giving up four runs, just two of them earned, in seven innings.

Game 19: Pirates 4 Cubs 5
This was another heart-breaking loss for the Bucs, as once again neither starter got a decision, and it took extra innings to decide this one. VanBenSchoten gave up just one run in seven innings and struck out nine batters, while Prior gave up two runs in six innings, while striking out 10 batters. The Pirates were leading 2-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth. Corey got Podsednik to strike out, but then hit Geoff Jenkins with a pitch. Mann then came into the game, and gave up a single to Infante. He then got Choi to ground into a fielder's choice with the out at second base, putting runners at the corners with two outs. Sosa then tripled into gap in right-center, scoring both runs and giving the Cubs a 3-2 lead. After walking Patterson, Mann ended the inning with Sosa at third base by getting Kelton to strike out looking. The Pirates then answered in the top of the ninth, when after back to back walks to C. Wilson and Davis, Ohman gave up a single to Henson that scored Wilson and tied the game at 3-3. He then got Castillo to strike out before getting pulled from the game. Almanza came into the game and gave up a single to Jack Wilson that scored Davis, and on the throw home, Jack went to second and Henson went to third. McClendon then left Mann in to bat, and surprisingly he drew a walk. With the bases loaded and two outs, Kotsay ended the threat by grounding out to the shortstop, but the Bucs had the lead 4-3. The Cubs answered back, when Mann gave up a lead off walk to Davis, and Davis was moved to second on a sac bunt by Bellhorn. Damian Miller then hit a pinch hit single to score Davis and tie the game at 4-4. Mann then got two quick outs to leave the base runner stranded. Neither team got a runner past first base until the bottom of the 13th. Jimenez got Sosa to strike out to lead off the inning, but then gave up a single to Patterson. Patterson then stole second base, and Jimenez intentionally walked Kelton. Brendan Harris came through with a clutch single left, and Patterson scored on a close play at the plate. Jimenez got the loss and Kolb got the win.

Series Recap: The Pirates dip back below .500 after they lose three very tough games to the Cubs. Any one of those games could have went either way, but they all went the Cubs way.

Around the league, on Monday both Yankees' Jason Giambi and San Francisco's Edgardo Alfonzo uncorked five hits against their opponents. On Thursday, Boston's Odalis Perez picked up his second shutout of the season, blanking the Orioles and giving up just two hits as the Red Sox won the game 6-0.