Ohlendorf picks up first win as Pirates get past Dodgers

LOS ANGELES - Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle was blunt in his sitdown with Ross Ohlendorf: throw the ball lower, throw strikes and do it now.

Knowing his tendency to overthink things, Ohlendorf appreciated the simplicity.

He got his first win of the season in seven starts and hit a three-run homer to help the Pirates beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 Thursday night, a loss that mathematically eliminated the bankrupt franchise from the NL West race.

"His fastball and slider were very efficient and the ball was down in the zone," Hurdle said. "Ross hasn't had a lot to feel good about."

In his previous start, Ohlendorf lasted just two innings and allowed six hits against Florida.

Ohlendorf (1-2) allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings, struck out six and walked none. It was the right-hander's fifth start since rejoining the team on Aug. 23 after a stint on the disabled list with right shoulder discomfort.

"It's been a while since I've pitched like that," Ohlendorf said. "It's by far the best I've felt since I got hurt the first time. I feel like I'm finally getting back to what I'm capable of doing."

Ohlendorf won for the first time on the road since Aug. 11, 2009, at Colorado. He tweaked his delivery, using a bigger motion that kept his mind focused.

"Hurdle and I had a talk earlier in the week about wiping the slate clean and starting over. Hearing that come from him really helped," he said. "A big thing too was forcing myself not to overthink about the hitters in terms of which pitches to throw."

All-Star Joel Hanrahan got pinch-hitter Aaron Miles to fly out to left field with the bases loaded in the ninth to earn his 38th save in 41 chances.

Dana Eveland (2-1) gave up four runs and eight hits in five innings, struck out four and walked one. The left-hander made 35 pitches in the second when the Pirates batted around while scoring four runs.

"Unfortunately, I got outduelled," Eveland said. "Ohlendorf threw the ball really well. He hadn't won in a long time, but he broke that streak, so congratulations to him."

Brandon Wood's RBI single tied the game at 1-1 and Ohlendorf followed with his first career homer and first career RBIs on the first pitch from Eveland to make it 4-1. Ohlendorf hit to the opposite field with two outs on a cool, damp evening at Dodger Stadium and got mobbed by his teammates back in the dugout.

"The guy does have lumberjack power. He is lumberjack strong," Andrew McCutchen said. "It was just a matter of him running into one. I'm not surprised by his power, I've seen his batting practice. He hits balls as far as anyone."

In the bottom of the second, Ohlendorf needed just nine pitches to get out of the inning.

The Pirates added two runs in the eighth on a RBI double by Ryan Doumit and a RBI single by Ryan Ludwick.

The Dodgers' runs came on Justin Sellers' ground-rule double in the first and Russell Mitchell's homer in the fifth.

The Dodgers lost for the fourth time in five games since briefly reaching the .500 mark last Saturday. They were eliminated with 12 games remaining in a troubled season that has included the beating of a San Francisco Giants fan on opening day, the franchise filing for bankruptcy and the ongoing battle between Frank McCourt and his ex-wife over ownership of the team.

The Dodgers' lineup included just two regulars -- Matt Kemp and James Loney. Kemp went 0 for 3 and got hit by a pitch, dropping him to 3 for 14 on the homestand. Loney was 0 for 4.

NOTES: Dodgers RF Andre Ethier was at the ballpark a day after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. ... Ohlendorf became the first Pirates pitcher to homer since Paul Maholm on May 9, 2009, against the Mets. ... The Pirates' 34th road win equaled their most away from home since 2002. Last season, they won just 17 on the road. ... Dodgers C Tim Federowicz made his first major league start and singled in the fifth for his first major league hit. ... The Pirates ended a three-game skid against the Dodgers. ... Eveland made his first start at Chavez Ravine.

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Myers wins second straight start as Astros beat Pirates

PITTSBURGH -- Humberto Quintero got a close look at Brett Myers' career-long losing streak.

So Quintero did as much as he could to end it.

Quintero had three RBIs, threw out a runner attempting to steal immediately prior to a home run and called Myers' first win in 2 1-2 months, leading Houston to a 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.

"I'm happy because I know he hasn't won a lot this year and it's been tough for him," Quintero said. "Maybe he'll start winning now and we'll see more wins next year."

Myers (4-13) allowed one run and four hits over 7 2-3 innings at soggy, chilly PNC Park as last-place Houston snapped a four-game losing streak.

Myers skipped his most recent turn in the rotation to be with his wife as she gave birth to the couple's fourth child. He had lost seven consecutive decisions since he pitched a four-hitter in a 7-3 victory at the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 17.

"I just try to go out there and get quality starts," Myers said. "If I get a win, I get a win. I'm just trying to help this ballciub win games, but it's always good to get a win for myself, too."

The Astros have won four of their last five against Pittsburgh but are 2-9 in their past 11 against everyone else. Jimmy Paredes finished with three hits and Mark Melancon worked the ninth for his 17th save.

Ryan Doumit homered and former No. 4 overall draft pick Brad Lincoln had another effective outing for Pittsburgh, which has lost two of three and seven of 10.

It rained for much of the game for the second straight day of the series, but there were no in-game delays again. Monday afternoon's game started 56 minutes late due to the weather, but Tuesday's contest went on without a hitch despite temperatures falling to 10 degrees Celsius and wet conditions.

Both starters seemingly were unaffected by the weather -- or maybe it was two of the NL's worst scoring teams. Myers struck out six and walked none.

"He was able to keep them off balance," Houston manager Brad Mills said. "He got one breaking ball up to Doumit, but he didn't have many baserunners. There weren't a lot of stressful innings for him, and that was just great to see. It kind of set the tone for us."

The Astros grabbed the lead in the second. Carlos Lee led off with a single and stole second. He moved up on Brian Bogusevic's single and scored when Paredes grounded into a fielder's choice.

Quintero had a two-out RBI double in the second and a two-run single in the eighth.

Doumit hit a two-out drive in the second for his eighth homer.

Lincoln (1-2) allowed two runs and five hits in six innings. He tied a career high with six strikeouts and walked none.

"He leaves game giving up (only) two runs," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "He was very solid again tonight. Very aggressive on both sides of the plate. ... He was very, very effective, just a good mix of pitches, the ball was down in the zone. Another good outing for Brad, a very good outing."

Lincoln threw 67 of 97 pitches for strikes. He has allowed seven runs in his past four starts -- all coming in either the first or second inning.

"It seems when I do give up runs they come in little bunches like that," Lincoln said. "But I felt good out there. The curveball felt good, and it was good to get deep into the game."

Pittsburgh had two men on with two outs in the eighth, but Wesley Wright got Garrett Jones to fly out to right.

NOTES: Pirates OF Jose Tabata was diagnosed with a broken bone in his left hand. He will rest and receive treatment for 10 days to allow the bone to heal and will be re-evaluated at that time. He first experienced pain while swinging the bat in the cage on Aug. 24 and left Monday's game due to pain in the hand. ... the Astros activated LHP Sergio Escalona from the disabled list. ... RHP J.A. Happ is scheduled to start for Houston on Wednesday. He has allowed four earned runs in three starts against Pittsburgh this season. ... LHP Brian Burres makes his second start of the season Wednesday for the Pirates.

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Phillies acquire right-fielder Bowker from Pirates

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The Philadelphia Phillies acquired outfielder John Bowker from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday for a player to be named or cash, adding a left-handed hitter to their bench.

The 28-year-old Bowker played in 19 games for the Pirates this season, going 4 for 17 with a double before he was designated for assignment on May 4. Bowker batted .306 in 106 games for Triple-A Indianapolis with 15 homers and 76 RBIs.

He drove over from Indianapolis and joined the Phillies before the third game of their series against the Cincinnati Reds.

"I'm kind of in shock," Bowker said. "I'm pretty excited. I started the season with Pittsburgh, then I was designated for assignment. While I was in Indy, I tried to keep a good attitude. It helped to get at-bats. That was important."

The NL East-leading Phillies wanted to improve their outfield depth and their bench. Bowker will be eligible for the playoff roster. He has played right field, left field and first base.

"The scouts say he's a good hitter," manager Charlie Manuel said. "He'll give you a good at-bat and a little bit of pop. He gives us some balance. He'll definitely help us."

Philadelphia optioned reliever Michael Schwimer to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following a 9-0 win over Cincinnati on Tuesday night. The Phillies also transferred right-hander Jose Contreras to the 60-day disabled list to create an opening on the 40-man roster for Bowker.

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