Giants-Pirates Preview

5/8/2008 12:04 AM

By BRETT HUSTON
STATS Writer

The Pittsburgh Pirates opened their home schedule by losing three straight in a variety of ways. They've since found their home field to be much more accommodating - especially since the San Francisco Giants came to town.

The Pirates look to complete just their second series sweep of the season on Thursday afternoon as they try to continue their recent dominance of the Giants.

Pittsburgh (14-19) had the NL's second-worst home record a year ago - 37-44 - and dropped its final four games at PNC Park en route to its 15th consecutive losing season.

It looked like nothing had changed in 2008 as the Pirates dropped all three games of a wild home-opening series against Chicago, losing twice in extra innings after mounting impressive comebacks and blowing a lead in the series finale.

But they've since gone 8-4 in Pittsburgh and have won their last three, including a pair versus the Giants (14-20). The Pirates have won 12 of 14 against San Francisco, and have hit .310 with 31 extra-base hits - 11 homers - in the last seven meetings.

Pittsburgh's offense, powered by outfielders Nate McLouth and Xavier Nady, exploded on Monday in a 12-6 win, then stellar pitching got the job done Tuesday in a 3-1 victory. The Pirates' only series sweep this season was a three-game set at home against Cincinnati from April 11-13.

While McLouth has six homers and 12 RBIs in his last 10 games, Nady is hitting .480 (12-for-25) with 11 RBIs in his last seven. Nady drove in two runs Tuesday, breaking a tie with Houston's Lance Berkman for the NL lead with 34 RBIs, to help starter Phil Dumatrait get his first major league win.

"It's just nice, obviously, to get a win," Nady told the team's official Web site. "Hopefully, we can keep getting some wins (and) getting guys believing in themselves that we can compete in this division."

Being at PNC Park could be a big help to Pirates starter Paul Maholm (2-3, 4.58 ERA). While he's gone 0-3 with a 9.60 ERA on the road, Maholm is 2-0 with a 0.89 ERA at home. He threw a two-hitter in his last start at PNC, beating Philadelphia 2-1 on April 27.

However, his most recent outing came in Washington on Saturday and Maholm was ripped for seven runs and 10 hits in five innings of a 9-8 defeat.

"Every time I tried to challenge a guy, the ball was up and away, instead of challenging him in the (strike) zone," Maholm said. "But I'll figure it out. You're going to have a couple bad starts throughout the year."

His only career start against the Giants in Pittsburgh was a good one. Maholm pitched a complete game on Aug. 13, allowing three hits and no walks in a 3-1 win.

San Francisco has dropped four of five on its trip through Pennsylvania, including two losses in three games at Philadelphia.

The Giants have scored a major league-low 113 runs, and Matt Cain (1-2, 4.08) knows all about a lack of run support from his team's offense. San Francisco has scored 13 runs in the 39 2-3 innings he's pitched this season.

But while Cain got off to a slow start - he had a 6.64 ERA after four appearances - he's been impressive since. San Francisco has won his last three starts as he's posted a 1.40 ERA.

Cain allowed two runs and three hits while striking out eight in seven innings of a 3-2 win over Philadelphia on Saturday. He allowed only one walk after issuing 23 through his first six starts.

"Command is everything, with everyone it's command," pitching coach Dave Righetti told the Giants' official Web site. "He's learned to settle and relax. Now we're starting to see the kind of pitcher we expected."