Brian Giles has been around too long to let a season-opening slump get him down. 

After a surprising start, the San Diego Padres appeared to be falling back to reality with three straight losses heading into a weekend series with the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

The score was tied, starter Paul Maholm was out of gas, and the phone rang in thePirates' bullpen with the summons from pitching coach Joe Kerrigan: "Get Chavez up. 

n Today 

THE 1984 TIGERS won their first nine games, used that as a springboard for a 35-5 start and didn't stop winning until after thumping San Diego in the World Series. 

--CF Nate McLouth is nearly impossible to throw out on the bases, as he has been caught stealing by a catcher just once in his five-year career. 

Switch-hitting Delwyn Young, acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a trade for either two minor-leaguers to be named or cash considerations, isn't likely to get many starts -- the Pirates are set in the outfield with Nyjer Morgan, Nate McLouth and Bran 

The two catchers on the Pirates' active roster have a grand total of eight games of major league experience. 

? Paul Maholm, who allowed four runs in six innings, didn't win a game last year in which he allowed more than three earned runs. 

The team value and profit margin are going down, but thePirates are still making money. 

In the grand scheme, it's only three games better than average. 

"This is fun. 

Meet Adam LaRoche, Mr. 

Switch-hitting Delwyn Young, acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a trade for either two minor-leaguers to be named or cash considerations, isn't likely to get many starts -- the Pirates are set in the outfield with Nyjer Morgan, Nate McLouth and Bran 

--OF Delwyn Young had 14 pinch hits as a rookie with the Dodgers last season, ranking fourth in the National League.