Blue Jays 0 - 1 Pirates
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Blue Jays look to snap losing skid in Pittsburgh

Jun 20, 2008 - 2:47 PM Toronto (35-39) at Pittsburgh (34-39), 7:05 pm EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The sputtering Toronto Blue Jays, losers of five straight, will travel to PNC Park on Friday to begin a three-game weekend set against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Pirates have been victims of struggle as well. Their pitching staff has a 5.14 ERA, the worst in the majors, but its numbers at home are a stark contrast to those on the road. Pittsburgh has a 6.59 ERA on the road, but a much better 3.79 mark at PNC Park.

This past week will testify to that, as the Pirates blew leads in each of its two losses in three games to Baltimore over the weekend and then gave up 37 runs while getting swept in Chicago. Pittsburgh now has a 4-29 interleague record on the road since 2004.

Ace Roy Halladay (8-6, 3.09 ERA) will take the mound for Toronto, which has lost 11 of the past 14 games, on Friday. The righthander leads the major leagues in complete games and is among the American League leaders in wins, ERA and WHIP.

Pittsburgh, which has lost five of six, will send Zach Duke (4-4, 4.24) to the mound with hopes of shutting down an offense ranked 13th in runs scored among AL squads. Toronto also does not feature an everyday player with a batting average over .300.

Xavier Nady's bruised left shoulder continues to leave a big hole in the Pirates' lineup, but leadoff hitter, Nate McLouth, continues to impress with his .292 average, 15 home runs and 48 RBI.

Matt Stairs paces the Blue Jays offense with eight home runs, while Lyle Overbay and Alex Rios are tied with 28 RBI for the team lead.






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