Jason Marquis’ struggles continued on Tuesday as the Pirates pounded the Cardinals 10-0 in Pittsburgh. Marquis was hit for four runs in the first inning. Daryle Ward got to him first with a sacrifice fly to drive in a run. Later in the inning Ty Wigginton knocked in three runs with a bases-loaded single to end the rally.
In third inning, Paul Wilson gave the Pirates a 5-0 lead with an RBI single. Nate McLouth hit a two-run homer off Marquis in the fourth inning with not outs. He was the last batter Marquis (9-13) faced.
Marquis has now lost seven straight decisions and 10 of his last 11. His last win was on June 10.
Pirates rookie pitcher Zach Duke, who is 6-0 with a 1.81 ERA left in the second inning after spraining his left ankle on the bases. He threw two more innings shut-out baseball.
The Cardinals got a scare in the ninth when outfielder So Taguchi was hit on the wrist with a pitch. X-Rays were negative and he’ll miss a day or two.