The Florida Marlins came to town Monday as the hottest team in the majors.
But they were cooled off by Pirates right-hander Ross Ohlendorf and third baseman Andy LaRoche.
Ohlendorf tossed seven shutout innings, and LaRoche made some dazzling defensive plays, as the Pirates cruised to an 8-0 victory.
"We did a lot of good things tonight," manager John Russell said. "We scored some runs. We played good defense. Ross pitched a very solid game.
"We knew coming in these guys were on a roll and we had to play solid baseball and pitch. We did that."
The Marlins went into the game riding a seven-game winning streak. They had won 11 of their first 12 games — the franchise's best start. However, six of those victories were suspect, coming against the usually woeful Washington Nationals.
Ohlendorf (1-2) gave up two hits — a leadoff single in the first inning and another in the fourth — walked one and struck out five. He retired 10 of the final 11 batters he faced.
"I was happy with how it went, especially considering how well they've been playing," Ohlendorf said. "The big thing was, I was able to throw the ball where I wanted to. My slider was the best it's been since the very beginning of spring training. My changeup was very good, too. A lot of things worked well."
The official tally of witnesses for Ohlendorf's first victory in eight career starts for the Pirates was 8,790. However, the actual number of fans in the seats on the chilly, rainy night at PNC Park appeared to be less than a third of that.
Ohlendorf got into some trouble in the first inning.
LaRoche helped get him out of it by making a nice pick on a grounder to force out Emilio Bonifacio at third base. In the seventh inning, LaRoche snagged a hot grounder by Jorge Cantu and started a smooth double play.
"We've always had a good defense," Ohlendorf said. "It makes it easy on a pitcher, knowing a lot of balls will be caught."
LaRoche credited infield coach Perry Hill, who's put in extra hours refining LaRoche's glovework.
"I'm starting to feel a lot more relaxed," LaRoche said. "Perry's got me in a better position, and I'm getting a better read on the ball."
The Pirates took a 1-0 lead in the first against lefty Andrew Miller.
Leadoff hitter Nyjer Morgan drew a four-pitch walk. He had walked just twice in his first 56 plate appearances, despite a .375 on-base percentage.
Morgan got a huge jump against Miller and stole second base without drawing a throw from catcher John Baker. It was one of the Pirates' three steals last night.
With one out, Nate McLouth bounced an RBI single up the middle.
Adam LaRoche began the fourth by blasting a double off the Clemente Wall. Andy LaRoche flied out to deep right, and Adam LaRoche hustled into third, just ahead of Cody Ross' throw.
After Jack Wilson walked, Miller threw a wild pitch, and Adam LaRoche scored.
A pair of two-out walks were costly to Miller in the fifth inning.
McLouth and Craig Monroe were in motion when Adam LaRoche singled to left field on a 3-2 pitch, so both runners scored easily.
Miller (0-1) lasted 4.2 innings and allowed four runs on five hits, four walks and two wild pitches. He has lost six consecutive decisions, going back to June 2008. After the game, Miller went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained oblique.
Reliever Logan Kensing took over for Miller and gave up four runs in the sixth. Pirates catcher Jason Jaramillo singled and eventually scored on a balk.
With two on and one out, McLouth swatted the first pitch high over the right-field wall. The ball bounced off the stadium concourse and became the 24th ball to land in the Allegheny River.
The distance on McLouth's three-run homer was 433 feet.
How they scored
Pirates first inning (Andrew Miller pitching) — Nyjer Morgan walked. Morgan stole second base. With one out, Nate McLouth singled to center field, Morgan scored. Pirates 1, Marlins 0
Pirates fourth — Adam LaRoche doubled to right. Andy LaRoche flied out to right, Adam LaRoche to third. Jack Wilson walked. Wild pitch, Adam LaRoche scored, Wilson to second. Pirates 2, Marlins 0
Pirates fifth — With two outs, McLouth walked. Craig Monroe walked, McLouth to second. Adam LaRoche singled to left, McLouth and Monroe scored. Pirates 4, Marlins 0
Pirates sixth (Logan Kensing pitching) — Jason Jaramillo singled to right. Ross Ohlendorf bunted out to pitcher, sacrifice, Jaramillo to second. Morgan singled to right, Jaramillo to third. Balk, Jaramillo scored, Morgan to second. Freddy Sanchez walked. McLouth hit a three-run home run (No. 4) to right on the first pitch. Pirates 8, Marlins 0
Additional Information:Today's game
Marlins at Pirates
7:05 p.m. · PNC Park
Radio: Today's game will be broadcast by WPGB-FM (104.7) and the Pirates Radio Network and on XM Radio channels 184.
Probable starters: Pirates RHP Jeff Karstens (0-0, 6.75) vs. Marlins RHP Anibal Sanchez (0-1, 1.64)
