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Home run by Doumit helps Pirates pop Padres

Sep 27, 2008 - 5:47 AM By Tim Powers PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Ryan Doumit hit a three-run home run and Ian Snell pitched five solid innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the San Diego Padres, 6-3, on Friday.

Freddy Sanchez collected three hits as the Pirates snapped a seven-game losing streak at Petco Park dating to April 2005.

Doumit's blast broke a 1-1 stalemate in the sixth. Mike Ekstrom (0-2) allowed singles by Nate McClouth and Sanchez before Doumit deposited an 0-1 pitch into the right field stands for a 4-1 advantage.

Snell (7-12) did not allow a hit until the fifth, surrendering a two-out solo homer by Nick Hundley that pulled San Diego even at 1-1. It was the only hit given up by the 26-year-old, who exited after the frame due to a cramp in his right calf.

"I just wanted to finish the season strong," said Snell, who struck out five and walked one. "That's what I did, I finished stronger than I started. I'm done thinking about (the season) and I've got to come back strong. I left everything on the field."

"(Snell) has been making a lot of progress, especially in the second half," Pirates manager John Russell said. "He pulled it together pretty well. Tonight was a good note for him to end on."

San Diego mounted a late comeback attempt, loading the bases in the eighth against John Grabow with two outs. But the lefthander struck out Kevin Kouzmanoff to preserve the 4-3 lead.

"We found a way," Russell said. "Grabow has been doing it all year, getting into a jam and getting out of it."

Padres right fielder Brian Giles muffed a routine fly ball with two outs in the ninth that allowed two runs to score, making it 6-3.

"Brian is as sure-handed as they come," San Diego manager Bud Black said. "It was one of those occurrences you see from a guy of Brian's caliber once in a blue moon."

"It was nice to get those two runs, even though it was kind of a gift," Russell said.

Matt Capps worked a scoreless ninth for his 21st save in 26 chances this season.

Pittsburgh got to San Diego starter Josh Geer early in the contest as Sanchez drove a pitch over the wall in left for a 1-0 advantage in the first.

"He made the mistake to Sanchez in the first," Black said. "I think the ball ran up and in on him, and Sanchez took advantage of that."

Geer left the contest with an injury, departing after five innings with tightness in his right elbow. The rookie righthander allowed one run and three hits, struck out two and did not issue a walk.

"(Geer) is a little sore," Black said. "He felt it after his last start, but it resolved itself to the point where he could make his start tonight. We felt it was no use to push him."

Will Venable had two hits for the Padres (62-98), who still face the potential of a 100-loss season, a mark they have not reached since 1993.