--LF Nyjer Morgan certainly is not the reason why the Pirates had lost 13 consecutive games to the Brewers and 16 straight at Miller Park through Monday. 

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. 

There's at least a glimmer of optimism around the Pittsburgh Pirates these days after they've raced out to their fastest start in seven years. 

Trevor Hoffman waited so long for his first appearance with Milwaukee that he got a call from manager Ken Macha asking him if he still wanted to pitch. 

Trevor Hoffman waited so long for his first appearance with Milwaukee that he got a call from manager Ken Macha asking him if he still wanted to pitch. 

SAN DIEGO ? Leave it to a Princeton guy to think too much on the pitcher's mound. 

SAN DIEGO -- Brian Bixler, in his fourth big-league plate appearance and his second swing of the season, after flying out the previous at-bat, knocked a two-run double into right field. 

SAN DIEGO -- The heck with the hurtPirates. 

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. 

Shortstop Jack Wilson's sprained left middle finger finally sent him to the 15-day disabled list Sunday after causing him to miss four of the previous 10 games. 

--RHP Craig Hansen was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, retroactive to April 20, with neck spasms. 

SAN DIEGO ? The angry stares Rene Gayo used to receive from Cuban Baseball coaches have begun to melt into smiles. 

SAN DIEGO ? ThePirates are not ruling out a trip to the disabled list for center fielder Nate McLouth, who on Saturday missed his second straight game with a strained right oblique. 

SAN DIEGO ? Despite a lineup that is getting more patchwork every day, thePirates keep chugging along. 

SAN DIEGO ? Adam LaRoche drilled a pair of home runs and Ross Ohlendorf pitched seven strong innings Sunday, as thePirates routed the San Diego Padres, 8-3.