Ending last is no blast for Bucs

Pittsburgh (67-95) tied the 1933-48 Philadelphia Phillies’ record of 16 consecutive losing seasons.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Bud Black, Trevor Hoffman and Brian Giles handed over their jerseys to fans at the end of Sunday’s game, as did the rest of the San Diego Padres in an annual fundraiser.

Whether those three pull on a Padres uniform next opening day remains to be seen.

The Padres have several decisions to make in the wake of a 99-loss season, which ended Sunday with a 6-1 defeat at the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Among them are whether to bring back their manager, baseball’s career saves leader and a right fielder who at 37 is among the best in the majors at getting on base.

Adam LaRoche and Steve Pearce hit consecutive homers in the fourth inning to help the Pirates come out on top in the matchup of last-place clubs.

Pittsburgh finished last in the NL Central at 67-95, 301‚Ñ2 games behind the Chicago Cubs. The Padres brought up the rear in the West at 63-99, their worst finish since 1993, when they were 61-101. The Padres were 21 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.

As dismal as the Padres were in 2008 following four straight winning seasons, San Diego has a long way to go to match Pittsburgh’s futility.

The Pirates tied the 1933-48 Philadelphia Phillies’ major league record of 16 consecutive losing seasons — the longest losing run in any of the four major pro sports leagues. The Pirates have lost at least 94 games each of the last four seasons.

The Padres hold a $9 million option on Giles, or a $3 million buyout. He’d like to remain with his hometown team, but with owner John Moores going through a divorce, the Padres are in another penny-pinching mode.

LaRoche homered to right leading off the fourth inning against Wade LeBlanc (1-3). Pearce homered to left two pitches later to give the Pirates a 2-1 lead. Luis Cruz singled in a run in the sixth, Jason Michaels hit a two-run double with two outs in the ninth and scored on LaRoche’s double.

Pirates starter Ross Ohlendorf was pulled with runners on first and second with two outs in the fifth and the Pirates leading 2-1, making him ineligible for the victory. He allowed one run and five hits.

Six relievers pitched 41‚Ñ3 innings of one-hit ball. Tyler Yates (6-3) got the win after striking out the side in the eighth.

“I would have liked to pitch deeper into the game,” Ohlendorf said. “I’m glad I just gave up that one run and that we were able to win.”