Paul Maholm evened his record at 7-7 by tossing 7-2/3 innings of one run ball. He gave up seven singles, a double and two walks. Maholm whiffed five Brewers. The defense turned four double plays behind him to help squelch the Milwaukee offense.
The Pirates got their offense on the board quickly and then the bats went silent. Suddenly potent Ronny Cedeno hit a two run dinger off Manny Parra in the second. Delwyn Young added and RBI single the following inning. The Pirates would collect just two more hits after the third inning.
Parra was charged with all three runs in six innings on four hits. He struck out six. Matt Capps tossed a perfect 9th for the save.
The Good
Sweep
Cedeno is hot like Shawon Dunston back in 1997.
The Bad
Nothing
The Rest
With Maholm sitting on 7 wins, Zach Duke at 9 and Ross Ohlendorf already in double figures, the Pirates have a chance to have three pitchers with 10 or more wins for the first time since 2003 when Kip Wells, Josh Fogg and Jeff Suppan all won 10 on the nose.
Young has eight hits in his last 16 at bats. He has 11 RBI in August, his best monthly total of 2009.
Maholm came into the game just 2-5 in thirteen career starts against the Beer Makers. He hit his second career double and just his third career extra base hit.
Parra entered the game having allowed just three earned runs in 11-2/3 in three career starts against Pittsburgh, both of which were in PNC.
