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Maholm helps Pirates take rubber match from Nats

Apr 26, 2011 - 4:46 AM Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Brandon Wood had a two-run double to help back seven strong innings from Paul Maholm, as the Pittsburgh Pirates held on for a 4-2 win over the Washington Nationals in the rubber match of a three- game set at PNC Park.

Chris Snyder added a run-scoring single for the Pirates, who won for the second time in six games overall.

Wood, claimed off waivers from the Angels on Friday, also scored a run while getting the start at third base.

"There were some jitters being with a new team. I kind of put that behind me and just relaxed," Wood said.

Maholm (1-3) picked up his first career win in eight starts against the Nationals. The right-hander allowed two runs on four hits, struck out eight and walked two. Joel Hanrahan worked a scoreless ninth to record his sixth save of the season.

The game was originally scheduled for Friday, but was postponed due to rain.

Adam LaRoche had a two-run single for Washington, which has dropped four of its last five. John Lannan (2-2) took the loss after surrendering four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three in 5 2/3 innings.

With light rain falling at the outset, LaRoche's first-inning two-run single to center gave the Nationals the early lead

However, Pittsburgh put four on the board in the fourth. Jose Tabata reached with a one-out walk and crossed the plate two batters later on Neil Walker's single, coupled with Jayson Werth's throwing error in right. Play was then halted due to heavy rain for 20 minutes.

When play resumed, Steve Pearce walked and Wood followed with a two-run double. Snyder's RBI single to left made it 4-2.

"Wood got a big hit," Nats manager Jim Riggleman said. "I thought Jon's pitch to Wood was a pretty good pitch ... He has good power and drove it into right- center."

Pittsburgh stranded a pair of runners in the seventh and Maholm was lifted after throwing 99 pitches -- 63 for strikes. Evan Meek took over and worked a perfect eighth inning.

Hanrahan came on for the ninth and walked Werth leading off, but retired the next two batters before Wilson Ramos singled to center. Pinch-hitter Rick Ankiel took a called third strike at the knees to end the game.

Game Notes

Washington won five of six matchups with Pittsburgh a year ago...Lannan fell to 1-4 in seven career starts against the Pirates...Maholm is now 1-4 versus the Nationals...Walker went 2-for-4 with a run scored for Pittsburgh...Werth had two hits and a run scored in defeat.