The Pirates have surged recently thanks to strong pitching, something manager Clint Hurdle believes is contagious. Paul Maholm, Charlie Morton and James McDonald strung together three quality starts in Pittsburgh's series win over Houston recently. "They are so into watching the other guy pitch. All of them," Hurdle said. "You hear people talk about hitting being contagious all the time. I think that happens with your starting pitchers. Nobody wants to drop the baton." The rotation's ERA over the past seven games is 2.79 and the Pirates are 14-9 this year when a starter goes at least six innings.