--RHP Ian Snell threw a career-high 131 pitches Wednesday as he took the loss despite giving up only one run in seven innings. His previous high was 120 on Aug. 19, 2007, against Philadelphia. The knock on Snell coming up through the minor leagues was that he would not have the durability to be a starting pitcher in the majors because of his slight stature, but he has disproved that idea.
--C Robinzon Diaz made his second start since being recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis on April 21 when C Ryan Doumit went on the disabled list with a broken right wrist. He had one of the Pirates' two hits with an eighth-inning double. Diaz is 2-for-6 with two RBIs since his recall, but he will remain the backup to C Jason Jaramillo, who is also a rookie. BY THE NUMBERS: 4 -- Games the Pirates were over .500 at 11-7 after winning twice in a three-game series at San Diego that ended April 26. The Pirates, who have had 16 straight losing seasons, had not been that far above .500 so late in a season since April 30, 2002.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We're going to need guys to step up and our team to come together and I know we will." -- Manager John Russell after losing C Ryan Doumit and SS Jack Wilson to the disabled list in the span of five days.
