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LaRoche, Pearce power Pirates past Padres

Sep 29, 2008 - 12:19 AM By Tim Powers PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Adam LaRoche and Steve Pearce hit back-to-back home runs to power the Pittsburgh Pirates past the San Diego Padres, 6-1, in the season finale for both teams Sunday.

The consecutive blasts came in the third inning and erased a 1-0 deficit for the Pirates, who won their sixth road series of the season and first since the beginning of September.

"It's great for the team," LaRoche said. "Any time you finish up a series and win a couple of games to end the year, it makes it a little better going into the off-season. It still doesn't make it a successful season for any of us."

Tyler Yates (6-3) struck out the side in the eighth to notch the victory in relief of Pittsburgh starter Ross Ohlendorf, who allowed one run and left the game with a 2-1 lead but did not qualify for the win after tossing just 4 2/3 innings. Four relievers combined to hold San Diego scoreless in front of Yates.

"There was definitely improvement," Ohlendorf said. "I really wish I'd been able to pitch deeper into the game. I've been struggling with that the whole time. I'm glad I gave up just that one run, and we were able to win."

Brian Giles doubled home Luis Rodriguez in the third against Ohlendorf to stake the Padres to an early 1-0 lead before LaRoche and Pearce struck.

San Diego starter Cha Seung Baek left the game after 2 1/3 innings with a left calf strain and his replacement, Wade LeBlanc, promptly served up the lead by surrendering the two home runs in the fourth for a 2-1 advantage for Pittsburgh.

The Pirates strung together three consecutive singles in the sixth with Luis Cruz driving in Andy LaRoche to tack on an insurance run and push the lead to 3-1.

Jason Michaels doubled home two runs in the ninth to provide the final margin.

"Obviously, it was a disappointing season for all of us," Padres manager Bud Black said. "It didn't go as we planned. I'm proud of the players and the way kept playing through this. That's a great thing."

Chase Headley had two hits for the Padres (63-99), who finished with their worst record since 1993, when the club lost 101 games.

"All the guys that got a lot of experience this year is going to be helpful for next season," Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez said. "I think everybody can take a step back and figure out what we can do to improve and win more next season."