Padres Shut Down by Pirates Again

The Dodgers can count on at least one thing when they open a three-game series at Pittsburgh on Friday night:

They won’t have to face Esteban Loaiza.

Loaiza, who had pitched six strong innings against them in Dodger Stadium last week, pitched 7 1/3 stronger innings Wednesday night in San Diego, giving up one run and five hits in a 4-2 Pirate victory.

It was the Pirates’ second in a row, both with strong pitching.

Loaiza, who was born in Tijuana and lives in Imperial Beach, Calif., also had an RBI single in his first game before what was, for him, a home crowd. He struck out four.

The Pirates, who have gutted their roster of expensive players and have the lowest payroll in the major leagues, will go into their home opener with a 4-4 record.

Pittsburgh starters have pitched into the sixth inning in all but one game and have been charged with one earned run or less in every start but one.

John Ericks put two runners on in the ninth but struck out pinch-hitter Chris Jones for his fourth save.

The Pirates were trying for successive shutouts for the first time in five years, but Tony Gwynn hit a two-run homer off reliever Matt Ruebel with one out in the eighth inning.

It was the first homer in 277 at-bats for the seven-time NL batting champion, who last homered on June 13 at Chicago. Rickey Henderson was aboard on a fielder’s choice. Gwynn finished 3 for 4.

Pittsburgh’s Kevin Elster homered with one out in the second inning on a pitch by Tim Worrell (1-1), who has given up three homers in his two starts.

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NEXT SERIES FOR DODGERS

WHO: Pittsburgh Pirates

WHERE: At Pittsburgh

WHEN: Friday 4 p.m.

Saturday 10:30 a.m.

Sunday 10:30 a.m.