Three wins in four games at Cinergy Field left the Pittsburgh Pirates thinking the worst is over. Yes, they really can win on the road.

        “I think we've found a little more confidence on the road,” said Dave Williams (1-1), who pitched well but took Thursday's 7-1 loss to the Reds. “As a team, everything's starting to come together.”

        Williams, a rookie, gave up three hits in six innings and impressed manager Lloyd McClendon.

        “The young man showed a lot of guts out there,” McClendon said. “That was another good outing for him.”

        For a change, the Pirates had some fun on the road. They scored in double-digits twice while taking the first three games, and wound up winning their first road series since April 6-8 at Houston.

        The road record is still the NL's worst at 13-32, but the Pirates have a sense it's about to change for the better.

        “You start to wonder if you're ever going to win on the road,” said Brian Giles, who was 10-for-15 in the series with three homers.

Reds 7, Pirates 1 Brower to start Double-A next for Rijo New ballpark looking up Red-Twins Scouting Report Pirates feeling good Reds box, runs

McGwire talks about retirement
Bonds HR drought reaches 10
Boxer Page 'has come back from the dead'
DAUGHERTY: Golf for a child
Earnhardt wreck still haunts Daytona
Yarrell is tennis success story
Met tennis results, schedule
Ex-Bengal Douthard out of prison

• Return to Reds front page...