Padres 11, Pirates 8 Fernando Valenzuela hit his ninth career homer in an eight-run third inning but couldn't pitch long enough for the victory despite an 11-run lead.

The Pirates pitched Ellis with a sore arm, but the Reds won the series.

The Pirates are pitching a left-hander Sunday, too: Neal Heaton.

Pirates pitcher Steve Blass pitched a gem in the deciding seventh game with a complete game four hitter while only allowing the Orioles to score one run.

Pirates 5, Marlins 1 Denny Neagle pitched seven and two-thirds strong innings and tied a career high with eight strikeouts, helping Pittsburgh beat host Florida.

The Pirates' starter, Ian Snell, pitched like a veteran despite entering the game with only seven career decisions.

Pirates 3, Giants 1 At Pittsburgh, Denny Neagle (6-6) pitched his first complete game in 124 major league appearances, shutting down San Francisco on four hits.

The Pirates pitched carefully to Strawberry and got him out the first two times.

Braves 4, Pirates 2 Bruce Chen pitched three scoreless innings for host Atlanta.

Duke also became the first Pirates starter since Kris Benson in 2000 to throw more than 200 innings with 215 and 1/3 innings pitched.