What a great sign it is to see Paul Maholm toss the ball so well. He was perfect into the fourth inning and allowed just three hits and one run over seven.
Nate McLouth belted a two run homer in the first inning and also drove in a run in a two run fourth to ease the Pirates to a nice lead. Maholm did the rest.
Ryan Doumit hit a grand slam and Adam LaRoche followed with a solo homer in the ninth to put the Pirates run total to 10.
The Good
Maholm’s outing was nothing less than stellar. 11 ground ball outs to six fly ball outs in GABP is critical.
Nyjer Morgan continues to do the job at the top of the order. He had three hits – including a triple off the glove of Willy Taveras – and two steals to go along with walk.
The defense committed no errors and Brandon Moss and McLouth registered OF assists
The Bad
No errors but an 0-5 for Andy LaRoche who is still hitless on the year.
Jesse Chavez allowed a run in the ninth in mop up duty.
The Rest
Former Pirate Mike Lincoln was the victim of the HRs by Doumit and LaRoche
Reds Pitcher Micah Owings singled as a pinch hitter, making him 7-23 in his career as PH.
