[Lefty Noob]

The Pittsburgh Pirates kicked off a run of 22 straight games against NL Central division opponents yesterday with an 8-4 win over the Cardinals in 10 innings. Ronnie Paulino, in for the injured Ryan Doumit, had a pair of hits and drove in the go-ahead run. Adam LaRoche had a three-run double, Nate McClouth had a two run homer and Marino Salas got the win in his Major League debut. The Bucs have won 7 of their last 10.

[Lefty Noob]

The Bucs finally snapped a 10 game losing streak to the Cubs yesterday, winning 7-6 on a Nate McClouth homer.

Here's how they've fared thus far throughout the 22 game run:
May 13 at St. Louis W 8-4 M. Salas R. Villone FSPI,FSMW
May 14 at St. Louis L 1-5 T. Wellemeyer P. Maholm FSPI,FSMW
May 15 at St. Louis W 11-5 J. Grabow J. Isringhausen FSMW
May 16 at Chi Cubs L 4-7 S. Gallagher T. Gorzelanny K. Wood WGN
May 17 at Chi Cubs W 7-6 D. Marte C. Mármol M. Capps FSPI,CSN

They've got one more game at Wrigley today, then head home for a series against the Brewers and another versus the Cubbies.

[Lefty Noob]

May 13 at St. Louis W 8-4 M. Salas R. Villone FSPI,FSMW
May 14 at St. Louis L 1-5 T. Wellemeyer P. Maholm FSPI,FSMW
May 15 at St. Louis W 11-5 J. Grabow J. Isringhausen FSMW
May 16 at Chi Cubs L 4-7 S. Gallagher T. Gorzelanny K. Wood WGN
May 17 at Chi Cubs W 7-6 D. Marte C. Mármol M. Capps FSPI,CSN
May 18 at Chi Cubs L 3-4 J. Marquis P. Dumatrait K. Wood FSPI,WGN
May 20 vs Milwaukee L 2-7 M. Parra P. Maholm FSWI,FSPI
May 21 vs Milwaukee L 1-4 B. Sheets I. Snell FSWI,FSPI
May 22 vs Milwaukee W 8-4 T. Gorzelanny D. Bush FSWI,FSPI
May 23 vs Chi Cubs L 3-12 C. Zambrano Z. Duke CSN,FSPI
May 24 vs Chi Cubs W 5-4 J. Grabow M. Wuertz WGN,FSPI

Finally took one from the Cubs again last night. Man, have they ever had our number.

[Lefty Noob]

Luis Rivas hit a grand slam last night as the Bucs crush the Cardinals, 14-4.

Also, according to the Associated Press, "Xavier Nady and Ronny Paulino drove in three runs apiece and starter Paul Maholm gave up just four hits and one run before being pulled with the game well in hand... Jose Bautista singled four times for his first career four-hit game and Freddy Sanchez had three hits for the Pirates, who finished with season highs for runs and hits (19). It was their most runs since a 15-1 victory against St. Louis last Aug. 1."

With the win, the Bucs improved to 8-9 thus far in the 22 game run against divisional opponents.