MIAMI - Apparently, all Ricky Nolasco needed to return to his winning ways was a trip to the minors.
The righthander struck out 12 in eight innings yesterday to win his fourth consecutive start, and the Florida Marlins beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5-0, to take their fourth straight home series and the fifth of their last seven overall.
Nolasco (6-6), who was recalled June 7 from triple-A New Orleans, pitched eight innings for the second straight start, and his 12 strikeouts were the most by a Marlin this season.
"My slider today was really sharp, and most of them were swinging over the top of it," he said.
Leo Nunez worked a scoreless ninth to finish Florida's second shutout of the season.
Pirates manager John Russell noticed the improvement in Nolasco, whom Pittsburgh beat during a series sweep at home in April.
"He had us reaching a lot. He did a real good job and was very efficient out there," Russell said.
Ross Ohlendorf lost his third consecutive road start for the Pirates, who have lost six of eight.
"I just didn't locate my pitches well," Ohlendorf said. "I think my consistency is the main thing I have to work on. I've had some success my last few starts, and I just have to go back to doing the things that are working."
Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez was a late scratch from the starting lineup with a tight right hip flexor. He hopes to play tonight in San Francisco.
Ramirez's fellow all-star Freddy Sanchez missed his third straight start at second base for Pittsburgh with back spasms. He remains day to day.
Pittsburgh 000 000 000 – 0 3 0
Florida 021 200 00x – 5 10 0
Pittsburgh AB R H BI Avg. Florida AB R H BI Avg.
McCutchen cf 4 0 2 0 .300 Coghlan lf 4 0 1 1 .257
Wilson ss 3 0 0 0 .270 Bonifacio ss 4 0 0 0 .253
Moss rf 3 0 0 0 .259 Uggla 2b 3 0 1 1 .223
Ad.LaRoche 1b 4 0 0 0 .262 Cantu 1b 4 1 1 0 .283
Jones lf 4 0 1 0 .250 Hermida rf 4 1 2 1 .256
