The Padres came into the series riding a two game win streak facing the team with the worst record in the majors last season. But the up and coming Pittsburgh Pirates reminded the Padres that they in fact have the worst record in the National League this year, beating the Padres twice in Petco to win the series.

The Padres will have an off day on Thursday before they face the Diamondbacks for three games starting Friday May 6^th. Below is a game by game recap of the Padres series vs. the Pirates.

May 2^nd, 2011, Pirates 4, Padres 3

WP James McDonald (2-2) 6IP 5H 2R 2ER 1BB 5K 1HR

LP Aaron Harang (4-2) 5IP 5H 4R 4ER 2BB 4K 2HR

S Joel Hanrahan (6) 1IP 2H 0R 0ER 0BB 1K 0HR

A day after the successful mission that took out public enemy number one on the FBI’s most wanted list, the Padres players requested wearing their camouflage jerseys to show support of the troops and honor the victims of 9/11. The team also offered two free tickets to any active or veteran military personnel with ID.

The Padres however could not capitalize on the sellout crowd as they fell short on their comeback 4-3 against the Pirates.

After winning his first four starts, Aaron Harang lost his second straight. He gave up a pair of two-run homers in the first to Garrett Jones and Chris Snyder spotting Pittsburgh four runs before the Friars came to bat.

Jorge Cantu took advantage of a base runner and creamed an inside pitch off the Western Metal Supply building to cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the sixth.

In the eighth Will Venable singled and then stole second before scoring on a Ryan Ludwick single. Ludwick’s thirteenth RBI brought his average up to .210.

The Padres made it interesting with two outs in the ninth with back to back singles by Nick Hundley and Chase Headley putting runners at the corners. But Will Venable grounded out on the first pitch to end the comeback and snap the Padres two game win streak.

May 3^rd, 2011 Padres 6, Pirates 5

WP Mike Adams (1-0) 1IP 1H 0R 0ER 0BB 1K 0HR

LP Joe Biemel (0-1) 1.1IP 3H 1R 1ER 1BB 2K 1HR

S Heath Bell (7) 1IP 0H 0R 0ER 1BB 1K 0HR

Heath Bell tied future Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman with a franchise record 41^st consecutive save to secure the Padres victory 6-5.

Mat Latos gave up a couple runs early in the first but cut the lead in half when he hit a bomb of the bottom of the second deck in left field to lead off the third.

Eric Patterson, who came in for Orlando Hudson who left with tightness in his leg, homered two batters later to tie the game.

Cameron Maybin later knocked in Ryan Ludwick to give the Padres the lead before the inning ended.

Mat Latos, despite his first inning, looked good for the next five. He walked only two and gave up no homeruns while striking out five. He was in line for his first win with Luke Gregersen taking over for his customary scorelees seventh with a one run lead.

But Gregerson could not keep his slider down as he was racked fore three runs while getting only one out. Chad Qualls came in and induced a double play to end the game.

But the Padres loaded the bases on three infield singles, including a bunt single by Eric Patterson before Ryan Ludwick drew a walk. Jorge Cantu then grounded into a double-play, allowing the tying run to score.

With one out in the bottom of the eighth backup catcher Rob Johnson launched a go-ahead homer to deep left to give the Padres the lead and set the table for Bell’s record tying save.

May 4^th, 2011 Pirates 7, Padres 4

WP Kevin Correia (5-2) 6IP 5H 2R 2ER 2BB 3K 0HR

LP Clayton Richard (1-2) 5IP 4H 7R 1ER 3BB 4K 1HR

Kevin Correia bested his old mates as he got seven runs of support to give his team the series deciding victory Wednesday in San Diego.

Clayton Richard gave up seven runs, including six in a third inning that featured two Padres errors and was highlighted by Brandon Doumit’s grand slam.

Brad Hawpe had a decent game at the plate when he went two for three with a double and solo homerun, his first of the season. His two RBI effort raised his average to .183.

Logan Forsythe made his major league debut when he pinch hit for Clayton Richard in the fifth. He grounded out to shortstop for his first official at-bat.