Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Rockies catcher J.D. Closser tries to pull Jason Kendall off pitcher Joe Kennedy yesterday. Click photo for larger image. More on the Pirates: Pirates Report: 8/16/04 Smizik: Redman key in Pirates' future One more push to realize Clemente's dream of Sports City

The Pirates, who have had their problems against left-handed starters this season, yesterday figured out a way to beat one.

Literally.

Jason Kendall went after Colorado left-hander Joe Kennedy after being hit by a pitch in the fourth inning, touching off a brief, bench-clearing scrum in front of the mound.

Kendall was ejected for charging Kennedy, who also was ejected for instigating the mini-melee.

Following the restoration of order, the Pirates finished their efficient, 3-0 victory achieved by Josh Fogg and three relievers.

"Foggie pitched a good game," Kendall said. "He had good stuff."

In the fourth inning, with the Pirates ahead, 2-0, Kendall batted with runners on first and third. Kennedy caught Kendall on his left arm with an 0-1 pitch.

Kendall dutifully dropped his bat, put his head down and began jogging to first base. Kennedy made a gesture toward the plate area and hollered at Kendall.

Immediately, Kendall turned left and sprinted toward Kennedy. The two engaged a few steps in front of the mound, but the actual "battle" lasted only a few seconds.

"It was a heat-of-the-moment type thing," Kendall said. "That was it."

According to Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon and umpire crew chief Randy Marsh, Kennedy's message to Kendall was this: "[Bleep] you. Get the [bleep] out of the way."

"Kennedy yelled something that I think got Jason fired up," Marsh said.

Kennedy denied yelling at Kendall.

"I was just trying to go in on him in that situation," Kennedy said. "He dives and leans over the plate. I hit him. I was yelling at the umpire, 'He needs to get out of the way,' and [Kendall] came after me.

"It was heat of the moment. It wasn't directed at Kendall at all. I was [mad]. I put another guy on base, and I felt it wasn't even that far inside. He dives in. He's been doing it for years. That's why he wears that [arm] pad."

Matt Freed, Post-Gazette A brawl erupted when Jason Kendall charged the mound after being hit by a pitch in the fourth inning. Click photo for larger image.

"He said something I took exception to," said Kendall, who had never charged the mound before. "I'm not going to let anybody yell at me like that -- or at any of my teammates."

Was Kendall surprised Kennedy yelled at him?

"Very," he said. "I was pretty shocked. I'd never even heard of that guy. When we went over the hitters and pitchers Friday [before the series began], I didn't know if he was a lefty or a righty."

Kennedy's departure followed a lengthy discussion among Colorado manager Clint Hurdle and the umpires about why Kennedy was ejected.

"I still don't get how a guy can charge the mound, a pitcher can stand there, take the blow and he gets thrown out of the game," Hurdle said. "[The umpires'] point is if [Kennedy] wouldn't have had a verbal altercation, that wouldn't have happened. I dispute that.

"Obviously Jason took it upon himself to charge the mound. If he doesn't charge the mound, nothing happens, regardless of what Joe says or what they say to one another. I have no problem with Jason charging the mound if that's what he feels he's got to do. He's caught the most games ever [by a Pirate]. Maybe that's the way he finds a couple days off."

Kendall likely will draw a suspension for charging the mound.

"We'll see what happens," McClendon said. "There were some things said that you couldn't put on the air -- particularly from a rookie pitcher who ought to just keep his mouth shut and pitch the game."

For the record, Kennedy isn't a rookie, but that's probably beside the point.

"It was certainly unwarranted," McClendon said. "He'll learn."

The Pirates, who have won six of their past eight games, didn't do much with the 14 baserunners they accrued yesterday. But, thanks to Fogg and company, they didn't have to.

Jack Wilson scored the Pirates' first run in the first inning after driving a one-out single through the left side. Craig Wilson's triple into the notch near the bullpens got the run home.

Tike Redman scored in the second inning after being hit by a pitch. Jose Castillo singled him across, the rookie second baseman's eighth RBI in the past six games.

Jack Wilson led off the seventh with a double and, after a misplay on Jason Bay's ground ball by Vinny Castilla, scored on a bouncer to third by Craig Wilson.