Sanchez continued his sudden turnaround with a long homer (7) in the first inning to give Maholm a lead that he would never be challenged for.
Sanchez added another RBI later in the game and the Pirates also added homers from Nate McLouth (20) and Ryan Doumit (12).
Doumit's shot was the final blow to any Houston comeback hopes as it was a three run bomb in the seventh.
Maholm cruised through eight innings and allowed just one run in moving his record back above .500 at 7-6.
Sean Burnett allowed a run in mop-up duty in the final frame.
In a season filled with discouraging items,the one thing that seems to be a positive is the gradual improvement of Maholm.
The Mississippi southpaw continues to give a performance that most times out give the Pirates a opportunity to win and with this team-that is as much as you can ask for!
However,before we get too excited about the maturation of Maholm,recall that this time last year,everyone (Myself included) were counting on Ian Snell and Tom Gorzelanny as stalwarts of the future as we watched them pitch last season.
I guess,we can hope though,right????
The Pirates attempt to sweep the Astros in a matinee' today and a win would make the difference between a bad road swing and one that was average.
Pitching Matchup
Pittsburgh:Ian Snell (3-8 5.83 ERA) at Houston:Brian Moehler (5-4 4.03 ERA) 2:05
Bullpen Notes
Todays game will be televised only on the Houston network.
I always prefer the Pirate feed,but at least that makes it a no Greg Brown day!
It seems that FSN Pittsburgh rarely shows any of the afternoon weekday games.
I wonder why that is?
I know the Pirates are not a huge TV draw,but they have to beat the 800th replay of Sports Science.
Bob Smizik has a great column on the devastation that was left in Pittsburgh by Captain Dave and his locust brigade.
It still turns your stomach,but these things need to be revisited from time to time in order to appreciate the task that Neal Huntington has ahead of him and therefore give the guy a break!!!
The struggles of Daniel Moskos continues at Lynchburg and unless his numbers do not pick up,one could make a legitimate argument that he should start next season back at Lynchburg instead of the assumed automatic promotion to Altoona.
The Cleveland Browns signed all five of their draft picks and will have all of them in camp on time.
The two highest picks,linebacker Beau Bell and tight end Martin Rucker were 4th rounders and are expected to challenge for playing time.
Bell has a chance of being a starter with an excellent camp.
Two additions on the signing front as Ebay produced a certified David Clarkson autograph and former Columbus enforcer Jody Shelley signed two through the mail.
Back later with Part 2 of the Wilbur Miller interview
Photo Credits
Maholm:Pat Sullivan-AP Photo
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