MIAMI -- The Pirates struck out 13 times, 12 against Florida starter Ricky Nolasco, in falling flat to the Marlins, 5-0, this afternoon at Land Shark Stadium.

Total offensive output was three singles and three walks, and two of those singles -- each by Andrew McCutchen -- did not leave the infield. Nolasco lasted eight innings, cut short of a shutout only by his pitch count of 112, charged only with the three hits and two of the walks.

It was the Pirates' second-highest strikeout total of the season. It was also the seventh time they were shut out, the first since May 23.

"His breaking ball was good, he kept it down and had us reaching a lot," manager John Russell said of Nolasco. "Any pitcher who locates his offspeed stuff like that is going to get swings and misses."

"He threw a lot of sliders," right fielder Brandon Moss said. "He did a good job against us, I guess. He threw that slider to his locations even when he was behind in the count. You just tip your cap."

Nolasco is 6-6 with a 5.42 ERA. He had not struck out more than nine all season.

Ross Ohlendorf, the Pirates' starter, was charged with five runs and nine hits over five shaky innings. He fell to 7-7, his ERA rising to 4.63, this on the heels of sharp outings against the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs in which he limited the opponents to two runs over 14 innings.

"I just didn't locate my pitches," Ohlendorf said. "There's nothing else really to point to."

He was asked what it will take to find more consistency.

"I wish I knew. I'm still kind of looking for that. But I do think it will come."

Florida took a 5-0 lead by accumulating eight hits in the second through fourth innings, including a triple by Jeremy Hermida and double by Jorge Cantu.

The Marlins took two of three in the series.

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