--C Robinzon Diaz started for the fifth time in the last six games Wednesday night, as he is taking playing time away from C Jason Jaramillo, who is struggling at the plate. Diaz, a rookie, also batted fifth for the second straight game after his two hits helped the Pirates break an eight-game losing streak Tuesday night with a 7-1 win over St. Louis. He was 0-for-3 Wednesday, but he was hit by a pitch to lead off a decisive three-run sixth inning.
--RHP Ross Ohlendorf credited expanding his arsenal of pitches for turning in his best performance of the season. he allowed one run and two hits in six innings Wednesday for the win against St. Louis. Ohlendorf had been relying almost exclusively on his sinking fastball during the early part of the season but has been throwing more four-seam fastballs, curveballs and changeups in recent starts. --3B Andy LaRoche's streak of reaching base in 22 consecutive games ended Sunday. He was 0-for-4 against the Mets at New York. LaRoche was 24-for-75 (.320) with nine doubles, one home run and 11 RBI during the streak.
BY THE NUMBERS: 17 -- Consecutive games the Pirates have lost to the Milwaukee. That is the most games one major league team has won over another since Baltimore beat Kansas City 23 times in a row during the 1969 and 1970 seasons.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The record speaks for itself. Apparently, they've got our number. I don't think anyone knows why." -- 2B Freddy Sanchez, on the Pirates losing 17 straight games to Milwaukee.
