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Maholm, Pirates wrap up successful first half vs. Cubs

Jul 10, 2011 - 2:35 PM (Sports Network) - Paul Maholm tries to continue his dominance against the Chicago Cubs as the Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up a successful first half of the season today in the finale of a three-game series at PNC Park.

During his career, Maholm has compiled an 8-2 mark in 15 starts against the Cubs, but has fashioned a 5.30 ERA against them. He's been simply dominant this season vs. Chicago, going 1-0 without allowing an earned run over two starts, covering 15 2/3 innings. He tossed a three-hit shutout in a 10-0 win at Wrigley Field on May 28. On April 2, Maholm threw 6 2/3 scoreless frames in a no-decision.

Although Maholm has nine losses this season, he has been the victim of little run support. He's allowed three earned runs or less in 14 of his first 18 starts and has gone 2-1 with a 1.01 ERA in five starts against National League Central teams this year. The lefty has also won each of his last three starts at home, including one against the Astros on Monday when he allowed one earned run over six innings.

Ramon Ortiz will be making his second start as a Cub today. He was 6-3 with a 4.26 ERA in 16 starts with Triple-A Iowa this year before finally taking the ball for the parent club on Tuesday. The righty took the loss despite pitching six solid innings in a 3-2 defeat at Washington.

Ortiz is 2-2 with a 4.35 ERA in 10 games (five starts) against the Pirates.

Starlin Castro had three hits and was among five different Cubs who knocked in runs Saturday for a 6-3 win over the Pirates to even the series.

Kosuke Fukudome, Carlos Pena, Marlon Byrd and Alfonso Soriano also had an RBI and Chicago banged out 14 hits to back five good-enough innings from starter Ryan Dempster.

The Cubs improved to 3-6 in their last nine games and avenged a loss in the series opener on Friday, when Pittsburgh's Michael McKenry belted a go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth inning for a 7-4 victory.

Chicago manager Mike Quade pinch-hit for Dempster (6-6) in the sixth inning, leading to a shouting match in the dugout.

Still, the 34-year-old right-hander earned his first win in five starts (1-1) after giving up three runs on seven hits and three walks. He struck out four.

"[Dempster is] interested in trying to win a game for the team, and that's the guy I want," Quade said. "I had a decision to make. He wants to keep pitching and I have to take into account what I saw and what I have available."

The Cubs scored in each of the first four innings against Pirates starter Kevin Correia (11-7).

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, named as an All-Star replacement for an injured Ryan Braun last night, has reached base safely in each of his last 23 games against the Cubs. McCutchen has also reached base safely in each of his last 21 games played at PNC Park and 19 straight overall.

The Pirates have won five of eight over the Cubs this year.