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"I could attack the strike zone, go right after the hitters and see how far they could hit," he said.

The end result was a strong performance from Redman. He allowed two runs and walked zero batters in seven innings to lead the Pirates to a 7-2 win Friday night before 27,517 fans at PNC Park.

"He pitched extremely well," manager Lloyd McClendon said. "If there is anyone who deserves some runs, it's Mark Redman."

The victory was the third straight for the Pirates, who improved to 8-3 on their home stand and climbed to within one game of .500 at 29-30. The Devil Rays, in last place in the A.L. East, lost for the 11th time in 12 games.

Redman (4-4) entered yesterday's game last in the major leagues in run support, with the Pirates scoring just 20 runs for him. But the Pirates jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first, made it 5-0 in the fifth, and Redman had little trouble against the Devil Rays.

He retired 10 of 11 batters during one stretch and allowed more than one runner to reach base just once, in the seventh when the Devil Rays scored twice to make it 5-2.

"It makes pitching easier," McClendon said about the run support. "You're not hanging on every pitch. You can relax, work the strike zone and not worry about one pitch."

The Nos. 2-5 hitters in the Pirates' lineup took advantage of Tampa Bay's lowly pitching staff, which has the second-worst ERA in the majors.

Tike Redman had two hits and scored three times. Rob Mackowiak had two hits and a run scored. Jason Bay had two hits, two runs and three RBI, and Daryle Ward added a double and three RBI.

"That's going to be our approach all year," McClendon said. "Without (injured) Craig Wilson, we don't have a big bopper in the lineup, so everybody has to contribute."

Tike Redman also contributed defensively. The Devil Rays were batting in the top of the fourth inning, trailing 2-0, and had a runner on first base with two outs and third baseman Jorge Cantu batting.

Cantu hit a fly ball to center field that appeared to be routine. But a gust of wind sent it flying toward the right-center field seats. Redman, who had to sprint to reach the ball, jumped and caught it at the top of the wall.

"I saw it when it came off the bat," Redman said. "The wind took it, and all I did was jump, and the ball was in my glove. I don't get too many of those. Usually, they're diving catches. That's the one I wanted."

The Devil Rays, visiting Pittsburgh for the first time, got an introduction to National League small-ball in the bottom of the first inning. That's when the Pirates scored twice off starter Hideo Nomo with only one single.

Matt Lawton led off with a walk. Tike Redman was hit by a pitch, and Mackowiak followed with a single to load the bases. Bay then hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Lawton with the first run. After Ward was intentionally walked to re-load the bases, Jose Castillo hit a sac fly to right field to score Redman and to make it 2-0.

The Pirates made it 5-0 in the fifth. After Tike Redman tripled with one out and Mackowiak was intentionally walked, Bay drove them both in with a triple. Ward then followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Bay.

Nomo (3-6) picked up the loss, allowing five runs and four hits in six innings. Ahead 5-2 in the seventh, the Pirates added a two-run double from Ward off reliever Trever Miller.

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