Dude, check out Russell Martin.

Russell Martin shows the power of the Zoltan to the bench Sunday. Martin had two home runs in the Pirates’ win. (Associated Press photo)

Yep, Zoltan is back for the Pirates.

It was a big hit last season for the Bucs. Hopefully it will work out better for them this year.

The Pirates’ win Sunday was their 15th in April. It’s the first time the Bucs have had 15 wins in April since 1992.

– Rick Green

So much for a winning streak.

The Pittsburgh Pirates got shellacked by the Arizona Diamondbacks Wednesday afternoon 10-2.

Starter Jonathan Sanchez gave up nine runs in 3.1 innings, including two home runs. Sanchez dropped to 0-2 while his ERA rose to 12.96.

The Pirates managed just five hits, with all five coming off D’backs starter Wade Miley (2-0).

Jose Tabata’s averaged dropped to .077 and Russell Martin’s to .043, while Gaby Sanchez improved his average to .1o0 after a 1-for-3 day.

After taking the first two against the D’backs (5-3 Monday, 6-5 Tuesday), I had some hope that the Pirates (3-6) could get the sweep.

That didn’t last long after Arizona (6-3) scored three runs in the first and three in the second.

Up next for Pittsburgh: three games at home against the Reds.

– Rick Green (follow me @ETNrgreen)

The Pirates’ early woes on offense continued Friday night in Los Angeles.

After scoring six runs in three games against the woeful Cubs, the Pirates made it six runs in four games after being shut out by the Dodgers 3-0 Friday night. The Pirates managed two hits against the Dodgers.

The loss dropped Pittsburgh to 1-3.

Starling Marte is hitting .143, Neil Walker .154, Pedro Alvarez .133 and Russell Martin is searching for his first hit.

That might not seem that bad, especially in such a small sample size, but there are two more games to go against the Dodgers.

Then some relief?

Not quite.

The Buccos’ road trip continues against the Arizona Diamondbacks for three games before returning home to face the Cincinnati Reds for three.

After that, the Cardinals arrive in Pittsburgh for three games, then the new-look Braves play at PNC Park for four more.

The Pirates close April on the road against the Phillies (4 games), Cardinals (3 games) and Brewers (3 games).

That’s not a very favorable schedule to start the season.

If you’re looking for a repeat of last season’s early success, the Pirates better get some hitting.

And soon.

– Rick Green (follow me @ETNrgreen)

Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune had a great line about the Pittsburgh Pirates in his spring training preview:

On one hand, the Pirates outbid the Yankees for a player. On the other, that player was Russell Martin, who hit .211. His average has dropped five years in a row.

You can check out all of Rogers’ previews here.

– Rick Green (follow me on Twitter @ETNrgreen)

Here’s an interesting photo of the New York Yankees’ Russell Martin getting hit in the face from a pitch by the Toronto Blue Jays’ David Carpenter.

Carpenter was recalled from Triple-A before the game Friday and was optioned back after giving up four runs.

– Rick Green