PIRATES Loretta and White save Padres, 8-7

Brian Giles' three-run double rallied the Bucs from a four-run deficit.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- If it weren't for Rondell White and Mark Loretta, San Diego Padres general manager Kevin Towers might have another reason to try to trade for Brian Giles.
Giles' three-run double helped Pittsburgh rally from a four-run deficit, but White's two-run homer and Loretta's two-run single in the ninth rallied the Padres to an 8-7 victory Tuesday night.
The three-game series is being played amid ongoing trade talks between the two teams.
The Padres are seeking the productive Giles but, to get him, probably must take catcher Jason Kendall and at least part of his huge contract off the Pirates' hands.
Kendall is owed $42 million after this season, and the teams are discussing how much of that amount the Pirates will pick up.
"Brian Giles is a great ball player," Towers said. "But I can't get into any details about talks we're having with the Pirates."
Worst in NL
The Padres haven't enjoyed many comebacks while winning an NL-low 41 games, but took advantage of Pirates reliever Mike Lincoln's inexperience to win for only the fourth time in the 57 games they've trailed after eight innings.
Lincoln (1-2), the heir apparent to the traded Mike Williams as the Pirates' closer, couldn't hold a multirun lead in the ninth for the second time in three days. He took a 3-1 lead into the ninth Sunday in St. Louis, only to give up three runs and lose 4-3.
As Lincoln warmed up to start the ninth, White noticed how sharp the right-hander's curveball was. Unlike most closers, Lincoln relies on his breaking ball as his out pitch, not his fastball.
So, facing Lincoln for the first time, White was surprised to see a down-the-middle fastball on the first pitch. He wasn't about to take another when Lincoln threw it again, hitting a drive that just cleared the 6-foot wall in left-center for his 17th homer.
Walks hurt
White's homer tied it at 6. Gary Matthews Jr. followed with a single and, after Lincoln walked consecutive batters, Loretta's two-run single to center off Brian Boehringer put the Padres up 8-6.
"I absolutely hate losing. It stinks," said Lincoln, who is 2-of-4 in save opportunities. "When you come in after the rest of guys have worked so hard to get the lead and you can't hold it, it's tough to take."
Rod Beck gave up Reggie Sanders' 19th homer to start the ninth, but still got his 13th save in 13 opportunities since being called up from the minors.
Unlike the inexperienced Lincoln, Beck was able to shake off his ninth-inning mistake.
"He's saved us," manager Bruce Bochy said. "He's been flawless. ... He's made us a better club. He keeps his composure in the ninth and settled down after that [homer] and made some great pitches."
Padres starter Oliver Perez shut out the Pirates on two hits over five-plus innings, but was lifted after walking seven and throwing 108 pitches.
With Perez out, the Pirates jumped on reliever Luther Hackman for five of their six runs in the sixth. Abraham Nunez had a two-run single ahead of Giles' bases-loaded double off Mike Matthews.
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