Paul Maholm and Cole Hamels were each effective over a long stretch. Maholm yielded a solo homer to Chase Utley in the first inning and was otherwise unscored upon in seven innings. He struck out four and gave up five hits. Hamels whiffed seven and allowed seven hits in eight shut out innings.
But the bullpen woes continued for the visitors. Ryan Madson gave up a pinch hit game tying solo dinger to Brandon Moss in the bottom of the 9th.
However, the Pirates bullpen faltered immediately. Steven Jackson started the 10th, but was pulled after allowing the first two runners to reach. Phil Dumatrait relieved and gave up a three run homer to Ryan Howard. Madson held the Pirates at Bay in the 10th and picked up the blown save, win.
The Good
A comeback
Maholm was good.
The Bad
The offense.
Allowing Hamels maybe to find his mojo.
The Rest
Hamels only win against the Pirates in three tries came back in 2006.
Maholm has allowed just two earned runs in his last 23 IP (dating back to 2008) against Philly.
Howard came into the game with just one homer in 55 career ABs at PNC.
Moss homered four times in July, but had not homered in over a month (July 22).
