Pirates Sweep Marlins Back to Earth

Cold bats and bad starting pitching highlight the Fightin' Fish play against Pittsburgh

The Florida Marlins went from being very hot to very cold during only three days in Pittsburgh.

Adam LaRoche had four hits and little brother Andy LaRoche drove in a pair of runs, leading the Pirates to a 7-4 victory over Florida on Wednesday and a three-game sweep of what previously was the majors' hottest team.
 
Florida began the series with an 11-1 record, a seven-game winning streak and a 6-0 road record, only to be outscored 18-6 while being swept in a three-game series by Pittsburgh for the first time since 2005.
 
The Pirates didn't get their usual standout starting pitching -- their starters came in with a 2.79 ERA -- but they relied instead on the brothers LaRoche and balance throughout the lineup to win their fifth in six games. Seven players had at least one hit each, including starting pitcher Paul Maholm, as the Pirates scored in five different innings.
 
After the Marlins came back to tie it at 4 with a two-run sixth against Maholm (3-0), the Pirates went ahead 6-4 in the bottom of the inning.
 
Delwyn Young doubled for his 15th pinch hit over the last two seasons and scored on Nyjer Morgan's single, with Morgan taking second on the throw home. Morgan then stole third and scored as former Pirates catcher Ronny Paulino's errant throw eluded third baseman Emilio Bonifacio.

The Pirates added another run when Adam LaRoche doubled for the third time and scored on Jack Wilson's two-out single in the seventh against reliever Kiko Calero.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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