San Diego, CA (Sports Network) - Ryan Ludwick hit two home runs and Wade LeBlanc pitched 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball, as the San Diego Padres downed the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-1, in the opener of a three-game series. LeBlanc (6-10) allowed five hits with eight strikeouts and aided his own cause with an RBI for the NL West-leading Padres, who have won two straight after a two-game skid. Pedro Alvarez drove in the only run for Pittsburgh, which has lost five straight games on the road. Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Karstens suffered the loss despite a solid outing. Karstens (2-8) yielded two runs on three hits over six innings.Sports Network | August 11, 2010
Filed under: