- Summary: Xavier Nady and Freddy Sanchez each homered and drove in 4 RBI’s combined to lead the Pirates to a 8-4 victory over the 2nd place Chicago Cubs. Pirates pitcher Paul Maholm (5-11) is begining to turn the corner and pitched 7 strong innings, surrendering 4 runs on 5 hits to earn his 5th win of the season. Cubs starter Jason Marquis (6-5) did not have the night Paul Maholm did as Marquis gave up eight hits and six earned runs over 4 2/3 innings to take the loss.
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Player of the Game: Xaiver Nady went 3-4 with a 1 home run and 2 rbi’s to lead the Pirates to their 4th straight win.
Stat of the night: The Pirates four game winning streak is their longest since they won a season-high five in a row from April 22-27. All of the Pirates victories on the four game winning streak have been against the National League Central. Three against Milwaukee & 1 against the Chicago Cubs. Paul Maholm has lasted at least seven innings in seven of his last nine starts.
- Cooling off: Pirates 1B Adam LaRoche went 0-for-5 after hitting three homers in his previous two games and getting 17 hits in 37 at-bats during a nine-game hitting streak.
(Pirates 39 – 47 )
- Are the Pirates finally starting to turn the corner? Not just yet but the bats are coming to life and most importantly their getting quality starts from the backend of their rotation which they weren’t getting the first 3 months of the season. I’m not sold on Paul Maholm regaining his form from last season but his past 5 starts have been encouraging. What a season Xaiver Nady is having. He has been the teams most consistent hitter all season and is on pace for 27 homeruns and over 90 rbi’s. Who would have thought that going into the season. Freddy Sanchez had a solid game tonight and is begining to look comfortable at the plate and at second base. Even if the Pirates play like this the rest of the season they are not going to catch the Brewers but Jason Bay is going to be the key component to this team playing above 500 ball after the All-Star break. The Pirates need him to step it up.
Tommorows matchup CHC (Lilly) @ PIT (Van Benschoten)
