Hope springs eternal...

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Correia pitches 4-hitter

by Rob Biertempfel [Pronounced "Beer-temple" - the greatest surname ever.]



CINCINNATI -- Right-hander Kevin Correia fired a career-best four-hitter, and the Pirates banged out 15 hits Monday to crush the Cincinnati Reds, 9-3.

Correia (3-1) walked two and struck out five to notch his second career complete game. His previous low for hits allowed was six, set in 2009 while he was pitching for San Diego.

The Pirates are 7-3 in road games for the first time since 2003. They've won their first three road series of the season for the first time since 2002.

Also, the Pirates have seven road victories against NL Central foes. Last year, they did not reach that mark until June 30.

The Pirates worked over left-hander Travis Wood for three runs in the first inning. Wood threw 42 pitches and the Pirates got four hits -- although none of them was scorched, they got the job done.

With one out, Jose Tabata walked. Matt Diaz squibbed a grounder into shallow right field, sending Tabata to third. Neil Walker shattered his bat and sent the ball over the head of second baseman Miguel Cairo for an RBI single.

Steve Pearce lined a single to left, scoring Diaz. Walker scored when Chris Snyder's blooper fell in front of center fielder Drew Stubbs.

It was the second night in a row the Pirates built a quick lead. They have scored seven runs in the first inning of the past two games, after scoring a total of four runs in the first innings of the first 14 games.

Pearce made just his second career start at third base in place of Pedro Alvarez, who was benched as he fights through a batting slump. Pearce's inexperience at the position showed in the second inning.

With Scott Rolen at third and none out, Jonny Gomes grounded sharply to Pearce. Pearce looked twice at Rolen, then rushed his throw to first base. The ball sailed over Lyle Overbay's head and Rolen scored on the error.

The Pirates tacked on five runs in the fourth -- their season high for runs in an inning. Andrew McCutchen had a two-run double to knock Wood (1-2) out of the game.