No, it's not okay to point out that a team is in last place before the end of April.

Unless, of course, that last place record reflects something, you know, close to catastrophic. Good morning to you. Good. Thursday morning.

I'm Dan Kovachovich of D.K. Pittsburgh Sports. This is Daily Shot of Pirates. It comes your way right

and early every weekday. If you're into football and or hockey, I also offer daily shots of

Steelers and Penguins in the same place that you found this.

Cardinals 5, Pirates 4 last night at PNC Park.

Nothing particularly defining about this loss except that it was the fourth loss in a row.

And this is starting to look a little lousy.

Sunday in Milwaukee was one thing.

Pirates had taken the first two from the Brewers.

Impressive stuff.

Then they come home and they lose the first three out of four.

The Cardinals.

Now, St. Louis is going to have to overcome Paul Skeens this afternoon for the sweep.

But just end this, even if it's Skeens doing it.

You don't have to apologize for Skeens being on your roster.

Nothing really to like about this.

Bubba Chandler was still throwing too many balls.

He ends up with a line that looks okay, three runs and three hits over five innings.

But he walked four again.

He gave up a home run.

Generally speaking, when you see that he's throwing 85 pitches and only 53 of them

...