To hear thePirates tell it, the foundation of pitching coach Joe Kerrigan's philosophy can be tidily summarized in two words: Strike one. 

THEPhillies and Rays shared the World Series spotlight last autumn. 

The Pirates had a rough week, losing two regulars in the span of five days as C Ryan Doumit suffered a broken right wrist and SS Jack Wilson also went on the disabled list with a sprained left middle finger. 

The kid gloves are off the Pirates' young pitchers when it comes to pitch counts. 

--3B Andy LaRoche has turned his season around since a dreadful start. 

MILWAUKEE -- When someone pointed out to Andy LaRoche on Wednesday that two Milwaukee Brewers still didn't have a hit this year, thePirates' third baseman chuckled. 

? Milwaukee Brewers All-Star outfielder Ryan Braun, who publicly griped about being plunked byPirates pitcher Jeff Karstens in the series opener, didn't fare well againstPirates starter Ian Snell on Wednesday. 

MilwaukeeBrewers pitching coach Billy Castro and right-handed reliever Jorge Julio sat in the team's lunch room and had a heart-to-heart chat Tuesday afternoon. 

Dealing. 

MILWAUKEE -- So this is how the Brewers maintained their recent mastery over thePirates, yesterday recording their 18th consecutive victory inside Miller Park and 15th anywhere: with help, with hate. 

MILWAUKEE -- Starting in center field yesterday was a 5-foot-10, 180-pound speedster and left-handed batter who made his major league debut in 2005 and showedPirates fans a pile of promise. 

The Pirates had a rough week, losing two regulars in the span of five days as C Ryan Doumit suffered a broken right wrist and SS Jack Wilson also went on the disabled list with a sprained left middle finger. 

--RHP Ian Snell threw a career-high 131 pitches Wednesday as he took the loss despite giving up only one run in seven innings. 

Ian Snell did his part to try to end the Pirates' long losing streak against Milwaukee on Wednesday, but it still wasn't enough. 

Ryan Braun has never been short on confidence.