Pirates complete sweep behind Adam LaRoche

April 23, 2009 at 12:05a.m.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Adam LaRoche can’t explain why he’s gone from being the majors’ worst hitter in April to one of its best. All he wants to do is keep hitting like he’s not supposed to during a month he and the Pittsburgh Pirates once dreaded.

LaRoche had four hits and little brother Andy drove in a pair of runs, leading the surprising Pirates to a 7-4 victory over Florida on Wednesday and a three-game sweep of the team with baseball’s best record.

Florida began the series with an 11-1 record, a seven-game winning streak and a 6-0 road record, only to be outscored 18-6 while being swept in a three-game series by Pittsburgh for the first time since May 30-June 1, 2005.

“They played better the whole series, they ran the bases and got key hits when they had to and they pitched real good,” Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

“But I think we’ll be fine, we’ll get recharged when we get back home.”

The Pirates didn’t get their usual standout starting pitching — their starters came in with a 2.79 ERA — so they relied instead on the brothers LaRoche and balance throughout the lineup to win their fifth in six games. Seven players had at least one hit each, including starting pitcher Paul Maholm, as the Pirates scored in five different innings.

Pittsburgh is 9-6, its best start since opening 10-5 in 2002. The Pirates were 7-8 a year ago, 6-9 in 2007 and 4-11 in 2005 and 2006.

“I feel like we took advantage of every mistake they made, every little thing, whether it’s stealing a bag, scoring on a passed ball — we took advantage of opportunities,” Adam LaRoche said. “I think that proves we’re a pretty good team and it’s not just a fluke. You come in and play the best team in baseball and sweep them, that’s saying something.”

Adam LaRoche went 4-for-5 with three doubles to raise his average to .304, which is .125 higher than his .179 career average in April coming into this season.

According to Stats LLC, the only NL hitters since 1900 with worse career averages in April were Dal Maxvill (.174) and Clete Boyer (.175).

He doubled in a run during the first against Ricky Nolasco (1-2), then singled ahead of Andy LaRoche’s sacrifice fly during a two-run third that made it 3-0.

The LaRoche brothers also doubled in the fifth to produce another run.

After the Marlins tied it at 4 with a two-run sixth against Maholm (3-0), the Pirates immediately came back to take a 6-4 lead.

Delwyn Young doubled for his 15th pinch hit over the last two seasons and scored on Nyjer Morgan’s single, with Morgan taking second on the throw.

Morgan stole third and scored as former Pirates catcher Ronny Paulino’s errant throw eluded third baseman Emilio Bonifacio.