PITTSBURGH — Jason Bay, discouraged by a record-setting losing streak, called on the Pittsburgh Pirates to start making changes to a club that is fast closing in on a 14th consecutive losing season.

Despite an ongoing skid that has reached 13 games and an overall 26-53 record, the Pirates have made relatively few roster changes — and general manager Dave Littlefield said Tuesday he's not planning an overhaul.

Bay, minutes after striking out with two on in the ninth to end a 4-3 loss to the White Sox, questioned if that's the right strategy.

"At the beginning of the year, I would have said, `Yes,"' Bay said when asked if the current group of Pirates could be winners. "But I don't know if this is the group to get it done."

The Pirates heavily promoted top prospects from the minors last season, but management took a different approach in the offseason by stockpiling veteran position players Sean Casey, Jeromy Burnitz, Joe Randa and Jose Hernandez.

"I think this core of players here has taken some strides, but I think you might have to bring in a lot of people to get to the next level," Bay said. "Different faces might be the answer. We've hit a fairly low point, and I'm sure everybody has trouble sleeping."

Bay acknowledged he is pressing at the plate to produce because of the losing streak. He also might be feeling the pressure of the Pirates' campaign to get him elected into the starting lineup for the All-Star game — since the campaign began, his average has dropped from .315 to .286, and he has only one homer in 16 games.

"I definitely know at times I am (pressing) — every at-bat is big," Bay said. "We're all looking for that one big hit.

"It's starting to get a little unbelievable. Until we get a lucky break, a lucky bounce, get off to a great start in a game, I don't know what the answer is," he said.