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Pitching leading to slump of Pirates

Jul 21, 2008 - 2:18 PM Pittsburgh (44-54) at Houston (46-52) 8:05 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates have routinely fallen victim to their dismal pitching staff this season but hope to rebound against an equally inept opponent.

The Pirates try to snap a five-game losing streak on Monday when they open a series against the Houston Astros and starter Runelvys Hernandez.

Pittsburgh ranks last in the majors with a 5.33 ERA and has allowed 39 runs over its recent slide. The Pirates had used an offense which ranks sixth in the National League with 469 runs to overcome their pitching issues but have scored just 15 runs over their last five games.

"This isn't like us," first baseman Adam LaRoche said. "Scoring runs and getting guys on hasn't really been a problem all year - especially not in four straight games (since returning from the All-Star break)."

Pittsburgh has a good chance to bounce back against Astros' starter Hernandez (0-3, 10.29 ERA), who was recalled from Class AAA Round Rock on Saturday after staff ace Roy Oswalt was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hip.

Hernandez's last stint in the majors ended when he allowed 10 runs and 13 hits in four innings en route to a 10-7 loss to the Pirates on July 7.

Spending all of 2007 in the minor leagues, Hernandez has not won in the majors since September 12, 2006 when he was a member of the Kansas City Royals.

John Van Benschoten (1-2, 9.77) takes the mound for Pittsburgh on Monday looking to earn his first win as a starter since 2004. The Pirates No. 1 pick in the 2001 draft, Van Benschoten is 2-12 with an 8.96 ERA in 24 career games and owns the highest ERA of any pitcher in major league history with at least 17 starts.