SAN DIEGO — The Pittsburgh Pirates ended yet another losing season with a win.

Adam LaRoche and Steve Pearce hit consecutive homers in the fourth inning and the Pirates beat the San Diego Padres 6-1 today in a matchup of last-place clubs.

Pittsburgh finished last in the NL Central at 67-95. The Padres brought up the rear in the West at 63-99, their worst finish since 1993, when they were 61-101.

As dismal as the Padres were in 2008 following four straight winning seasons, San Diego has a long way to go to match Pittsburgh's futility.

The Pirates tied the 1933-48 Philadelphia Phillies' major league record of 16 consecutive losing seasons - the longest losing run in any of the four major pro sports leagues.

LaRoche homered to right leading off the fourth inning against Wade LeBlanc (1-3). Pearce homered to left two pitches later to give the Pirates a 2-1 lead. Luis Cruz singled in a run in the sixth, Jason Michaels hit a two- run double with two outs in the ninth and scored on LaRoche's double.

Pirates starter Ross Ohlendorf was pulled with runners on first and second with two outs in the fifth and the Pirates leading 2-1, making him ineligible for the victory. He allowed one run and five hits.

Six relievers pitched 4 1-3 innings of one-hit ball. Tyler Yates (6-3) got the win after striking out the side in the eighth. Yates is a Kaua'i High and University of Hawai'i-Hilo alum.

Padres starter Cha Seung Baek was forced out with a strained left calf after 2 1-3 innings. He apparently was hurt covering first base on Nate McLouth's groundout. Baek allowed one hit and two walks.

Brian Giles, perhaps playing his last game with the Padres, hit an RBI double in the third.

The Padres have some big decisions to make following their first losing season since moving to Petco Park in 2004. They won the NL West in 2005-06, then dropped to third last year after losing a wild-card tiebreaker game to Colorado in 13 innings.

The front off ice projected 90 wins but a dreadful offense and injuries left them well short. San Diego ended the season loaded with players who started the season in the minors.

Among the decisions are whether to bring back manager Bud Black, closer Trevor Hoffman and Giles, the right fielder.

Black, the second-year skipper, is under contract through next season but the Padres have not said whether he'll be back.

Even if Black returns, there might be more upheaval on the coaching staff. Hitting coach Wally Joyner resigned with six games to go, citing philosophical differences with the front office, which relies heavily on statistical analysis.

The Padres hold a $9 million option on Giles, or a $3 million buyout. He'd like to remain with his hometown team, but with owner John Moores going through a divorce, the Padres are in another penny-pinching mode.

Hoffman's contract expires, and baseball's all-time saves leader with 554 would like to finish his career w ith the Padres. He turns 41 next month.