Pirates 2 - 4 Nationals
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  for this game

Pirates send Maholm to the hill against Nats

May 16, 2011 - 2:46 PM

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(Sports Network) - Lefty Paul Maholm tries to make it two straight on his own ledger while aiming to end a team-wide struggle tonight, when his Pittsburgh Pirates head to Nationals Park for the first half of a two-game set with the host Washington Nationals.

Maholm, a former first-round draft pick -- eighth overall, 2003 -- defeated the Nationals for the first time in his career in his most recent effort on April 25 in Pittsburgh, scattering four hits and allowing two runs in a 4-2 triumph.

Previously, in seven starts against Washington, he'd been 0-4 and had been touched for 56 hits and 29 runs in 41 2/3 innings.

Both Maholm and the Pirates have struggled recently, however.

The hurler has gone 0-2 with a no-decision in three starts since the late- April victory, though he's allowed just 17 hits and seven runs in 20 innings as his season's earned run average has dropped to 3.60.

The Pirates have fallen in five straight games, including the finale of a three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday at Miller Park.

Ryan Braun had a home run and four RBI and Jonathan Lucroy went deep and drove in three to lead Milwaukee over Pittsburgh, 9-6.

Kevin Correia (5-4) took the loss in four innings of work, allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks.

The Nationals come into the series with the goal of creating a win streak of their own.

On Sunday in Washington, Ivan Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored to help the hosts earn an 8-4 win over Florida and avoid a three-game sweep.

Jason Marquis (5-1) was charged with four runs -- two earned -- on six hits over 6 2/3 innings to get the win. He also went 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBI as the Nationals snapped a three-game losing streak.

Jayson Werth scored twice while Roger Bernadina had an RBI and a run scored in the win. Both players had two hits.

For Washington, lefty John Lannan can reverse the result of the aforementioned April 25 meeting with Maholm and the Pirates.

In that game, the New York native was touched for five hits and four runs across five innings.

It was the first loss of what's become a three-game losing streak across four starts since an 8-6 win at St. Louis on April 20.

Lannan is 1-4 in seven career starts against the Pirates with a 4.91 ERA in 40 1/3 innings.

Pittsburgh took two of three from the Nats earlier in the year, but Washington was 5-1 in the season series a season ago.






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