The suddenly punchless, plodding Pirates mustered all of six hits -- half after the rout was on -- as their losing streak reached nine games with the 11-3 mauling by Milwaukee tonight at PNC Park, including just three hits over seven innings off the Brewers' Jeff Suppan and his 4.58 ERA.

Through July 31, the Pirates ranked third in the National League in runs, seventh in all of Major League Baseball. But their paltry sum of 81 runs so far this month ranks dead last among all 30 teams, the 18 home runs rank 27th, the .245 average 26th.

Of the two offensive acquisitions in those trades: Brandon Moss is batting .235 since joining the Pirates, with a boost from a home run and double last night that drew the only rise out of the 21,931 on hand. And Andy LaRoche, after a pinch-hit groundout, dropped to .126, just 9 for 71 now.

Paul Maholm, their stalwart in the rotation, was hit hard last night for the first time in three months in allowing six runs in 5 ¹/₃ innings. Corey Hart and Mike Cameron each hit deep home runs to center off him.