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Pirates hope to end struggles, snap three-game skid

Jul 19, 2008 - 10:16 AM Pittsburgh (44-51) at Colorado (40-57), 8:05 pm EDT

DENVER (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates attempt to avoid a fourth consecutive loss Saturday when they square off against the Colorado Rockies.

Not much has gone right lately for the Pirates, who have fallen back into last place in the National League Central. Pittsburgh's woes reached new depths Friday as it relinquished its first inside-the-park home run since 2001.

Rookie Seth Smith belted a fly ball to deep right-center field and it caromed off the wall, rolling all the way into left-center with center fielder Nate McClouth giving chase. Smith crossed home easily for his second career homer.

Pittsburgh hopes rookie Yoslan Herrera (0-0, 12.46 ERA) can help reverse its fortunes. The 27-year-old righthander, who is making his second career start, will certainly need to be better than he was in his last out.

Herrera was roughed up for six runs and 11 hits with four walks and four strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings,but did not receive a decision in last Saturday's 12-11 triumph over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Rockies starter Jorge De La Rosa (3-5, 7.26) is also coming off a shaky start, surrendering seven runs and nine hits with two walks and five strikeouts over 3 2/3 frames in an 11-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on July 10.