Wobbling Bucs blanked

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Inning after inning, the Pirates got baserunners. Pittsburgh never was retired in order and had a man reach scoring position during five different innings.

None crossed home plate.

The wobbling Pirates left 12 men on base in getting shut out for the 11th time this season, 7-0 by the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.

“There’s nothing better than getting a two-out hit with a runner in scoring position,” Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. “And there’s nothing that stings you as much as giving up one.”

Erik Bedard gave up two of those — and each was costly. Carlos Gomez and Aramis Ramirez homered off of him for the Brewers, who have won five of six.

Bedard (7-14) lasted only 42/3 innings and leads the majors in losses.

The Pirates have lost five of six. They trail St. Louis by two games for the second NL wild-card spot, with the Cardinals coming to PNC Park for a three-game series starting tonight.

Bedard did not allow a hit through 32/3 innings, but six of the final nine batters he faced did have a hit and each scored.

“I made some good pitches, and then they starting hitting the ball around and scored runs,” Bedard said.

Two-out singles by Corey Hart and Jonathan Lucroy in the fourth preceded Gomez’s 13th home run.

Rogers led off the next inning with a double and scored on Rickie Weeks’ one-out single. Two batters later, Ramirez hit his 18th homer.

“Sometimes, it’s like that,” Gomez said. “One thing happens in a game and everybody gets excited and wants to swing the bats better. It’s just somebody has to start it.”

Formerly with Pittsburgh, Ramirez went 6 for 12 in the series with an extra-base hit in each game. His 62 extra-base hits lead the National League.

The Pirates have lost 12 of 17, falling from 21/2 games back in the NL Central to eight behind.