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Gonzalez leads Padres over Pirates

Jul 27, 2008 - 3:06 AM By Chris Adamski PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Adrian Gonzalez belted two home runs and had four RBI to lead the San Diego Padres past the Pittsburgh Pirates, 9-6, on Saturday at PNC Park.

Pirates starter John Van Benschoten was tagged early, as Gonzalez and Kevin Kouzmanoff launched three-run homers in the first and second inning, respectively, to give the Padres an early 7-1 lead.

Gonzalez notched his fifth career multi-hit game while helping San Diego win its second in a row after dropping eight of nine.

"We've actually been swinging the bats really well since the All-Star break," Gonzalez said. "That's an encouraging thing. I know we've been on the road, which is a little bit easier for us - these ballparks are easier to hit in - but everybody as a whole has been swinging the bats good."

Nick Hundley and Gonzalez each added solo shots to support starter Josh Banks, who gave up five runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Jose Bautista hit a solo homer in the ninth before Padres closer Trevor Hoffman recorded the final out to notch his 20th save, which allowed him to set the major league record for most 20-save seasons with 14. Lee Smith had shared the previous mark with Hoffman.

"I'm proud. That's a good man I had an opportunity to bypass," Hoffman said. "Lee Smith had a tremendous career. I had the opportunity to meet him a couple years ago and am a big fan of his accomplishments. I'm thankful."

It was the Pirates' first game since trading outfielder Xavier Nady and lefthander Damaso Marte to the New York Yankees for four prospects. They made the deal, in part, to add some starting pitching depth, and a big reason why was on display Saturday.

Van Benschoten (1-3), whose ERA rose to 10.48, recorded just five outs while allowing seven runs and six hits.

"He didn't throw well," Pirates manager John Russell said. "I don't know what else to say about it. It wasn't a good game at all in any aspect."

"Even in the (bullpen) warming up, I didn't have a good feel," Van Benschoten said. "I figured, sometimes you don't have the best feel out in the bullpen, but it doesn't necessarily correlate to the game, and unfortunately it did. I was thinking, 'You've got to find it, you've got to find it,' and I just never found it."

After Pittsburgh got a first-inning run when Ryan Doumit singled in All-Star Nate McLouth, Banks (3-4) settled in and did not allow a hit over the next four innings until Jack Wilson singled and Jason Michaels followed with his fifth home run in the fifth.

"I don't know how many our offense put up in each inning, but it was great go out there and just have to get as many outs as I could and stay in there as long as I could," Banks said. "But everybody hit tonight. It's always nice to get a nice little lead."

Adam LaRoche led off the sixth with his 15th homer of the year - and third in two games - and Michaels delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit to 9-5.

Banks has won his past two starts after the team lost his previous six starts.

"We had to use our closer after jumping out to a lead, and they fought back," Black said. "I thought (Banks) tired a little bit. It was a humid night. He had some quick innings, but the Pirates kept battling and getting guys on base. We kept throwing the bullpen, and we got it done."