Streaks End, Pirates Win

Kenny Lofton’s 26-game hitting streak is history. And so is Woody Williams’ 10-game winning string.

Lofton went 0 for 5 to end his streak, but the Pittsburgh Pirates handed Williams his first loss in nine months in a 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.

“The media made a big deal of it, but it was fun and a little mind-boggling at the same time,” said Lofton, who turned 36 on Saturday. “I hit the ball hard, it just didn’t fall in today.”

Williams (7-1) failed in his bid to become the NL’s first eight-game winner, giving up four runs -- two earned -- in eight innings. He lost for the first time in 15 starts since Aug. 29, 2002, at Cincinnati, although his earned-run average is at a National League-leading 2.19.

Lofton struck out, reached on an error, flied out twice and lined out to the mound in the ninth to end the streak that was tied with Boston’s Nomar Garciaparra for the longest in the major leagues this season. Garciaparra’s streak ended on Wednesday.

Lofton batted .406 (43 for 106) during the streak, which fell one shy of the team record set by Jimmy Williams in 1899. He lobbied just a bit after the game that a grounder that shortstop Edgar Renteria bobbled to start the third could have been ruled a hit.

Kip Wells (2-2) made his first start in 15 days and worked five innings, allowing solo homers by J.D. Drew and Albert Pujols. Wells had been sidelined by blisters on his pitching hand.