Pirates’ Big Rally Topples Padres

Jason Bay might not have played if he had been sitting in the other dugout. Daryle Ward might not have played if Raul Mondesi was with Pittsburgh.

Getting a chance to get their careers going with the last-place Pirates, Ward and Bay each homered twice and drove in three runs and host Pittsburgh overcame a six-run San Diego first inning to rally past the Padres, 9-7, on Thursday night.

The Pirates’ comeback -- they trailed 6-0 and 7-1 -- kept San Diego from its first road sweep and ended Pittsburgh’s six-game home losing streak. The Pirates’ 5-12 home record is the majors’ worst. A victory would have moved the Padres into first in the National League West.

“That’s a tough one, to get a six-run lead and not be able to hold it,” Padre Manager Bruce Bochy said.

Cincinnati 3, Colorado 1 -- Paul Wilson (6-0) pitched eight solid innings at Cincinnati for his career-high sixth consecutive victory, and Danny Graves became the Reds’ all-time saves leader.

Florida 6, Houston 2 -- Mike Lowell had two solo home runs to help the Marlins defeat the Astros at Miami. Lowell has 13 homers and is tied with Colorado’s Jeromy Burnitz and Arizona’s Steve Finley for the major league lead.

Atlanta 5, Arizona 1 -- Horacio Ramirez (2-3) pitched a three-hitter for his second career complete game and hit two singles to lead the Braves to victory at Atlanta.

Milwaukee 3, Montreal 2 -- Scott Podsednik hit the go-ahead home run off closer Rocky Biddle in the ninth inning to lift the Brewers past the Expos at San Juan, Puerto Rico.

St. Louis 11, New York 4 -- So Taguchi had four hits, driving in two runs and scoring two more, to lead the Cardinals at New York.

San Francisco 5, Chicago 3 -- Neifi Perez hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning as the Giants, without the injured Barry Bonds for a second day because of back spasms, won at Chicago.