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Marquis, Cubs look to continue winning ways, face Pirates

Jul 6, 2007 - 2:55 PM Chicago Cubs (43-41) at Pittsburgh (38-47) 7:05 pm EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Jason Marquis looks to continue his dominating performance against the Pittsburgh Pirates, which is just fine with the Chicago Cubs.

Marquis and the Cubs aim for their 12th win in 14 games when they open a three-game series vs. the Pirates on Friday.

Chicago defeated the Washington Nationals, 4-2, on Thursday for its fourth win in five games to close to within 4 1/2 games of the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers.

To attempt to get even closer, the Cubs will turn to Marquis (6-4, 3.31 ERA). The righthander yielded a run and four hits in seven innings in a 5-1 victory over the Brewers on Sunday. It was his first win in nearly two months since throwing a three-hit shutout vs. the Pirates on May 9.

Marquis has easily handled Pittsburgh in his two starts vs. them this year. On May 2, he allowed only a run and four hits in eight innings in a 7-1 win against Pittsburgh.

The Pirates counter with Paul Maholm (4-11, 4.74), who has alternated wins and losses in his last four starts. The lefthander, who is tied for the major league lead in losses with St. Louis' Kip Wells, allowed three runs and nine hits in seven innings in a 3-2 setback to Washington on Sunday.

However, Maholm is 3-0 lifetime in four starts vs. Chicago. In his only start against the Cubs this season, he allowed four runs and seven hits - including three home runs - in 7 1/3 innings of a 6-4 victory on May 10.