GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: PITTSBURGH (41-58) at NY METS (57-43)

NL: PITTSBURGH at NY METS

<div class="pre">PITTSBURGH (8) VS NY METS (4) - MID 9TH - IN PROGRESS

PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Izturis ss 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 .246
F Sanchez 2b 5 1 1 0 0 1 2 .296
J Bay lf 5 1 1 1 0 3 2 .252
X Nady rf 4 1 2 3 0 1 0 .285
J Phelps 1b 4 1 3 3 0 1 0 .368
J Castillo 3b 3 0 0 0 1 2 3 .233
R Paulino c 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .234
N McLouth cf 4 1 2 0 0 1 0 .238
P Maholm p 3 1 1 0 0 2 0 .175
D Marte p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-M Kata ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .250
S Chacon p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273

Totals 37 8 11 7 1 13 10

a-grounded to shortstop for D Marte in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - J Phelps (1, J Smith). HR - J Phelps (1, 6th inning off O Perez 1
on, 2 Out). S - C Izturis. RBI - X Nady 3 (56), J Phelps 3 (3), J Bay (66).
2-out RBI - X Nady 3, J Phelps 3, J Bay. Runners left in scoring position, 2
out - J Castillo 2. GIDP - M Kata. Team LOB - 4.

FIELDING: Outfield assists - N McLouth (R Castro at 2nd base).


NY METS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Reyes ss 4 2 2 1 0 0 0 .305
L Milledge cf 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 .280
D Wright 3b 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 .293
C Delgado 1b 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 .248
D Easley lf 3 1 2 0 0 0 1 .264
R Castro c 3 0 2 0 0 0 1 .323
S Green rf 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .271
R Gotay 2b 2 0 0 1 0 1 1 .333
O Perez p 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .229
S Schoeneweis p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Smith p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-P Lo Duca ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .270
G Mota p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 28 4 7 4 1 3 4

a-grounded to third for J Smith in the 7th.

BATTING: HR - L Milledge (3, 6th inning off P Maholm 0 on, 1 Out), J Reyes (7,
8th inning off S Chacon 0 on, 0 Out). SF - R Gotay , D Wright. RBI - D Wright
(62), L Milledge (12), R Gotay (18), J Reyes (41). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - P Lo Duca 1. Team LOB - 3.

BASERUNNING: SB - J Reyes (48, 2nd base off P Maholm/R Paulino).

FIELDING: E - O Perez (1, throw); D Wright (12, bobble). DP: 1 (C Delgado-J
Reyes-C Delgado).


----------------------------------------------------
PITTSBURGH - 000 005 300 -- 8
NY METS - 100 001 11 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
P Maholm 6 6 3 3 1 3 1 4.57
D Marte 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.48
S Chacon 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 3.51

NY METS ip h r er bb so hr era
O Perez 6 5 5 0 1 9 1 2.84
S Schoeneweis 2/3 2 2 2 0 2 0 5.59
J Smith 1/3 3 1 1 0 0 0 3.03
G Mota 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 5.58

P Maholm pitched to 2 batters in the 7th.

Pitches-strikes: P Maholm 90-56; D Marte 10-7; S Chacon 14-11; O Perez
111-72; S Schoeneweis 24-17; J Smith 10-5; G Mota 26-15. Ground balls-fly
balls: P Maholm 7-7; D Marte 2-1; S Chacon 1-2; O Perez 2-8; S Schoeneweis 0-0;
J Smith 1-0; G Mota 3-1. Batters faced: P Maholm 24; D Marte 3; S Chacon 4; O
Perez 25; S Schoeneweis 4; J Smith 4; G Mota 6.

UMPIRES: HP--Charlie Reliford. 1B--Greg Gibson. 2B--Larry Vanover. 3B--Tony
Randazzo.

Weather: 84 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 6 mph, in from center.</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at NY METS

<div class="pre">NL AT NY METS - PITCHING CHANGE
PIT: MATT CAPPS (4-4, 2.24) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: PITTSBURGH 8, NY METS 4

DUE UP FOR NYMETS: D EASLEY (.264, 2-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at NY METS

<div class="pre">NL AT NY METS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: M Capps relieved S Chacon.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: PITTSBURGH 8
NY METS 4 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR NY METS: D Easley (.264, 2-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at NY METS

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
PITTSBURGH 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 0 0 8 11 0
NY METS 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 4 7 2 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: PIT - PAUL MAHOLM, DAMASO MARTE (7TH), SHAWN CHACON (8TH), MATT
CAPPS (9TH) AND RONNY PAULINO

NYM - OLIVER PEREZ, SCOTT SCHOENEWEIS (7TH), JOE SMITH
(7TH), GUILLERMO MOTA (8TH) AND RAMON CASTRO

HOME RUNS: PIT - JOSH PHELPS (1) OFF OLIVER PEREZ IN THE 6TH, 1 ON

NYM - LASTINGS MILLEDGE (3) OFF PAUL MAHOLM IN THE 6TH, 0 ON
JOSE REYES (7) OFF SHAWN CHACON IN THE 8TH, 0 ON</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at NY METS

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
PITTSBURGH 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 0 0 8 11 0
NY METS 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 4 7 2 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: PIT - PAUL MAHOLM, DAMASO MARTE (7TH), SHAWN CHACON (8TH), MATT
CAPPS (9TH) AND RONNY PAULINO

NYM - OLIVER PEREZ, SCOTT SCHOENEWEIS (7TH), JOE SMITH
(7TH), GUILLERMO MOTA (8TH) AND RAMON CASTRO


WP - PAUL MAHOLM (7-12)
LP - OLIVER PEREZ (9-7)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: PIT - JOSH PHELPS (1) OFF OLIVER PEREZ IN THE 6TH, 1 ON

NYM - LASTINGS MILLEDGE (3) OFF PAUL MAHOLM IN THE 6TH, 0 ON
JOSE REYES (7) OFF SHAWN CHACON IN THE 8TH, 0 ON


TIME: 2:46 ATT: 52,150

PROBABLES: WAS - MIKE BACSIK (3-6, 4.39)
NYM - JORGE SOSA (7-5, 4.36)

PROBABLES: PIT - JOHN VAN BENSCHOTEN (0-4, 8.17)
PHI - JAMIE MOYER (8-8, 5.01)</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at NY METS

<div class="pre">PITTSBURGH (8) VS NY METS (4) - FINAL

PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Izturis ss 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 .246
F Sanchez 2b 5 1 1 0 0 1 2 .296
J Bay lf 5 1 1 1 0 3 2 .252
X Nady rf 4 1 2 3 0 1 0 .285
J Phelps 1b 4 1 3 3 0 1 0 .368
J Castillo 3b 3 0 0 0 1 2 3 .233
R Paulino c 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .234
N McLouth cf 4 1 2 0 0 1 0 .238
P Maholm p 3 1 1 0 0 2 0 .175
D Marte p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-M Kata ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .250
S Chacon p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273
M Capps p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000

Totals 37 8 11 7 1 13 10

a-grounded to shortstop for D Marte in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - J Phelps (1, J Smith). HR - J Phelps (1, 6th inning off O Perez 1
on, 2 Out). S - C Izturis. RBI - X Nady 3 (56), J Phelps 3 (3), J Bay (66).
2-out RBI - X Nady 3, J Phelps 3, J Bay. Runners left in scoring position, 2
out - J Castillo 2. GIDP - M Kata. Team LOB - 4.

FIELDING: Outfield assists - N McLouth (R Castro at 2nd base).


NY METS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Reyes ss 4 2 2 1 0 0 0 .305
L Milledge cf 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 .280
D Wright 3b 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 .293
C Delgado 1b 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 .248
D Easley lf 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .263
R Castro c 4 0 2 0 0 1 1 .319
S Green rf 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 .270
R Gotay 2b 2 0 0 1 0 1 1 .333
O Perez p 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .229
S Schoeneweis p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Smith p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-P Lo Duca ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .270
G Mota p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 31 4 7 4 1 5 4

a-grounded to third for J Smith in the 7th.

BATTING: HR - L Milledge (3, 6th inning off P Maholm 0 on, 1 Out), J Reyes (7,
8th inning off S Chacon 0 on, 0 Out). SF - R Gotay , D Wright. RBI - D Wright
(62), L Milledge (12), R Gotay (18), J Reyes (41). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - P Lo Duca 1. Team LOB - 3.

BASERUNNING: SB - J Reyes (48, 2nd base off P Maholm/R Paulino).

FIELDING: E - O Perez (1, throw); D Wright (12, bobble). DP: 1 (C Delgado-J
Reyes-C Delgado).


----------------------------------------------------
PITTSBURGH - 000 005 300 -- 8
NY METS - 100 001 110 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
P Maholm (W, 7-12) 6 6 3 3 1 3 1 4.57
D Marte 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.48
S Chacon 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 3.51
M Capps 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 2.19

NY METS ip h r er bb so hr era
O Perez (L, 9-7) 6 5 5 0 1 9 1 2.84
S Schoeneweis 2/3 2 2 2 0 2 0 5.59
J Smith 1/3 3 1 1 0 0 0 3.03
G Mota 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 5.58

P Maholm pitched to 2 batters in the 7th.

Pitches-strikes: P Maholm 90-56; D Marte 10-7; S Chacon 14-11; M Capps 13-9;
O Perez 111-72; S Schoeneweis 24-17; J Smith 10-5; G Mota 26-15. Ground
balls-fly balls: P Maholm 7-7; D Marte 2-1; S Chacon 1-2; M Capps 0-1; O Perez
2-8; S Schoeneweis 0-0; J Smith 1-0; G Mota 3-1. Batters faced: P Maholm 24; D
Marte 3; S Chacon 4; M Capps 3; O Perez 25; S Schoeneweis 4; J Smith 4; G Mota
6.

UMPIRES: HP--Charlie Reliford. 1B--Greg Gibson. 2B--Larry Vanover. 3B--Tony
Randazzo.

T--2:46. Att--52,150.
Weather: 84 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 6 mph, in
from center.</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at NY METS

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
PITTSBURGH 8
NY METS 4 FINAL</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at NY METS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PITTSBURGH (8) AT NY METS (4) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NY METS 1ST: J Reyes singled to center. J Reyes stole second. L Milledge
grounded out to third, J Reyes to third. D Wright hit sacrifice fly to left,
J Reyes scored. C Delgado walked. D Easley lined out to right. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 0, NY METS 1.

PITTSBURGH 6TH: N McLouth singled to center. P Maholm reached on infield
single to shortstop, N McLouth to second. C Izturis sacrificed to third,
N McLouth to third, P Maholm to second, N McLouth scored, P Maholm to third,
C Izturis safe at second on throwing error by pitcher O Perez. F Sanchez
fouled out to first. J Bay popped out to second. X Nady reached on infield
single to third, P Maholm and C Izturis scored. J Phelps homered to left
center, X Nady scored. J Castillo walked. R Paulino struck out swinging.
(5 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error) PITTSBURGH 5, NY METS 1.

NY METS 6TH: J Reyes grounded out to second. L Milledge homered to left.
D Wright flied out to center. C Delgado grounded out to first. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 5, NY METS 2.

PITTSBURGH 7TH: S Schoeneweis relieved O Perez. N McLouth struck out
swinging. P Maholm struck out swinging. C Izturis reached on infield single
to pitcher. F Sanchez reached on infield single to third, C Izturis to second,
C Izturis to third on error by third baseman D Wright. J Smith relieved
S Schoeneweis. J Bay singled to right center, C Izturis scored, F Sanchez to
second. X Nady singled to left, F Sanchez scored, J Bay to second. J Phelps
doubled to right, J Bay scored, X Nady to third. J Castillo grounded out to
pitcher. (3 Runs, 5 Hits, 1 Error) PITTSBURGH 8, NY METS 2.

NY METS 7TH: D Easley reached on bunt single to third. R Castro singled to
left, D Easley to second. D Marte relieved P Maholm. S Green grounded out to
first, D Easley to third, R Castro to second. R Gotay hit sacrifice fly to
right, D Easley scored. P Lo Duca hit for J Smith. P Lo Duca grounded out to
third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 8, NY METS 3.

NY METS 8TH: S Chacon relieved D Marte. J Reyes homered to right.
L Milledge popped out to first. D Wright grounded out to shortstop.
C Delgado lined out to left. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 8,
NY METS 4.</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at NY METS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PITTSBURGH (8) AT NY METS (4) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pittsburgh Starting Lineups -- C Izturis SS, F Sanchez 2B, J Bay LF, X Nady RF,
J Phelps 1B, J Castillo 3B, R Paulino C, N McLouth CF, P Maholm LHP.

Ny Mets Starting Lineups -- J Reyes SS, L Milledge CF, D Wright 3B, C Delgado 1B,
D Easley LF, R Castro C, S Green RF, R Gotay 2B, O Perez LHP.

Umpires -- Charlie Reliford (HP), Greg Gibson (1B), Larry Vanover (2B),
Tony Randazzo (3B).

Gametime Weather: 84 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind in from center at 6 mph.


PITTSBURGH 1ST: C Izturis lined out to left. F Sanchez struck out
swinging. J Bay struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 0,
NY METS 0.

NY METS 1ST: J Reyes singled to center. J Reyes stole second. L Milledge
grounded out to third, J Reyes to third. D Wright hit sacrifice fly to left,
J Reyes scored. C Delgado walked. D Easley lined out to right. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 0, NY METS 1.

PITTSBURGH 2ND: X Nady flied out to right. J Phelps reached on infield
single to third. J Castillo struck out swinging. R Paulino flied out to
center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 0, NY METS 1.

NY METS 2ND: R Castro singled to left center, R Castro out stretching at
second. S Green struck out looking. R Gotay struck out swinging. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 0, NY METS 1.

PITTSBURGH 3RD: N McLouth flied out to left. P Maholm struck out swinging.
C Izturis grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 0,
NY METS 1.

NY METS 3RD: O Perez grounded out to second. J Reyes bunt grounded out
to pitcher. L Milledge lined out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 0, NY METS 1.

PITTSBURGH 4TH: F Sanchez flied out to right. J Bay struck out looking.
X Nady struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 0, NY METS 1.

NY METS 4TH: D Wright flied out to center. C Delgado grounded out to
shortstop. D Easley singled to left. R Castro grounded out to second.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 0, NY METS 1.

PITTSBURGH 5TH: J Phelps struck out swinging. J Castillo struck out
looking. R Paulino flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 0, NY METS 1.

NY METS 5TH: S Green flied out to center. R Gotay popped out to shortstop.
O Perez struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 0, NY METS 1.

PITTSBURGH 6TH: N McLouth singled to center. P Maholm reached on infield
single to shortstop, N McLouth to second. C Izturis sacrificed to third,
N McLouth to third, P Maholm to second, N McLouth scored, P Maholm to third,
C Izturis safe at second on throwing error by pitcher O Perez. F Sanchez
fouled out to first. J Bay popped out to second. X Nady reached on infield
single to third, P Maholm and C Izturis scored. J Phelps homered to left
center, X Nady scored. J Castillo walked. R Paulino struck out swinging.
(5 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error) PITTSBURGH 5, NY METS 1.

NY METS 6TH: J Reyes grounded out to second. L Milledge homered to left.
D Wright flied out to center. C Delgado grounded out to first. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 5, NY METS 2.

PITTSBURGH 7TH: S Schoeneweis relieved O Perez. N McLouth struck out
swinging. P Maholm struck out swinging. C Izturis reached on infield single
to pitcher. F Sanchez reached on infield single to third, C Izturis to second,
C Izturis to third on error by third baseman D Wright. J Smith relieved
S Schoeneweis. J Bay singled to right center, C Izturis scored, F Sanchez to
second. X Nady singled to left, F Sanchez scored, J Bay to second. J Phelps
doubled to right, J Bay scored, X Nady to third. J Castillo grounded out to
pitcher. (3 Runs, 5 Hits, 1 Error) PITTSBURGH 8, NY METS 2.

NY METS 7TH: D Easley reached on bunt single to third. R Castro singled to
left, D Easley to second. D Marte relieved P Maholm. S Green grounded out to
first, D Easley to third, R Castro to second. R Gotay hit sacrifice fly to
right, D Easley scored. P Lo Duca hit for J Smith. P Lo Duca grounded out to
third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 8, NY METS 3.

PITTSBURGH 8TH: G Mota relieved J Smith. R Paulino struck out looking.
N McLouth singled to right. M Kata hit for D Marte. M Kata grounded into
double play, first to shortstop to first, N McLouth out at second.(0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 8, NY METS 3.

NY METS 8TH: S Chacon relieved D Marte. J Reyes homered to right.
L Milledge popped out to first. D Wright grounded out to shortstop.
C Delgado lined out to left. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 8,
NY METS 4.

PITTSBURGH 9TH: C Izturis grounded out to second. F Sanchez fouled out to
first. J Bay struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 8,
NY METS 4.

NY METS 9TH: M Capps relieved S Chacon. D Easley flied out to left.
R Castro struck out swinging. S Green struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 8, NY METS 4.</div>

 

Maholm sharp as Pirates top Mets

<h3>PITTSBURGH 8, NY METS 4</h3><div class="pre">FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) The Pittsburgh Pirates have just</div>two wins since the All-Star break, and they both belong to PaulMaholm.


Maholm pitched six effective innings and had a single in afive-run sixth as the Pirates defeated former teammate OliverPerez and salvaged the finale of a three-game series with an 8-4victory over the New York Mets on Thursday afternoon.

Xavier Nady had a two-run single and Josh Phelps belted atwo-run homer in the sixth against Perez, who came undonefollowing a pivotal throwing error.


The Pirates won for just the second time in their last 12 games,all since the All-Star break. The other win in that span wasMaholm's 7-3 triumph over the Houston Astros last weekend.

Maholm (7-13) is among the National League leaders in losses buthas pitched far better than his record would indicate. The25-year-old lefthander won for the third time in four starts,allowing three runs and six hits - while striking out three andwalking one - before leaving after allowing the first twobatters to reach in the seventh.


Perez (9-7) lasted six innings and was charged with five runs -none earned - and five hits with one walk and nine strikeouts.

The lefthander made his first start against the Pirates sincethey shipped him to the Mets at the 2006 trade deadline. Hespent parts of four seasons in Pittsburgh and was the Pirates'Opening Day starter in 2005.


The only baserunner allowed by Perez through the first fiveinnings was an infield single by Phelps in the second, but thegame fell apart for him in the sixth.


Nate McLouth singled to center to lead off the inning beforeMaholm first squared to bunt and then chopped a pitch to theleft side for an infield single. Perez then fielded a bunt byCesar Izturis near the third base line, but his throw sailedover the head of first baseman Carlos Delgado to tie the game at1-1.


It was the first error charged to a Mets starter this season.

Perez retired the next two batters, but Nady hit a hard groundball that bounced off the leg of third baseman David Wright fora two-run single, giving the Pirates a 3-1 lead.


Phelps followed with a two-run homer to left-center field.

The Pirates added three runs in the seventh on RBI singles byJason Bay and Nady and an RBI double by Phelps that made it 8-2.

Damaso Marte worked the seventh, allowing a sacrifice fly toRuben Gotay.


Shawn Chacon allowed a home run to Reyes in the eighth and MattCapps worked the ninth.


Milledge, who homered with one out in the sixth, started hissecond straight game in center field in place of Carlos Beltran,who suffered an abdominal strain during batting practice onWednesday.

 

Maholm sharp as Pirates top Mets

<h3>PITTSBURGH 8, NY METS 4</h3>FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) - The Pittsburgh Pirates have justtwo wins since the All-Star break, and they both belong to PaulMaholm.


Maholm pitched six effective innings and had a single in afive-run sixth as the Pirates defeated former teammate OliverPerez and salvaged the finale of a three-game series with an 8-4victory over the New York Mets on Thursday afternoon.

Xavier Nady had a two-run single and Josh Phelps belted atwo-run homer in the sixth against Perez, who came undonefollowing a pivotal throwing error.


The Pirates won for just the second time in their last 12 games,all since the All-Star break. The other win in that span wasMaholm's 7-3 triumph over the Houston Astros last weekend.

"Maholm had another excellent performance. He's been doing thaton a regular basis," Pirates manager Jim Tracy said. "Hiscommand was terrific."


Maholm (7-13) is among the National League leaders in losses buthas pitched far better than his record would indicate. The25-year-old lefthander won for the third time in four starts,allowing three runs and six hits - while striking out three andwalking one - before leaving after allowing the first twobatters to reach in the seventh.


"I was just hitting my spots for the most part and wasn't givingin to them," Maholm said. "I just went out there trying to putup zeroes and then let the offense try to figure it out. Ihave all the confidence in the world in these guys."

Perez (9-7) lasted six innings and was charged with five runs -none earned - and five hits with one walk and nine strikeouts.

The lefthander made his first start against the Pirates sincethey shipped him to the Mets at the 2006 trade deadline. Hespent parts of four seasons in Pittsburgh and was the Pirates'Opening Day starter in 2005.


"I just take it like any other team," Perez said. "I was justtrying to win one for my team now."


The only baserunner allowed by Perez through the first fiveinnings was an infield single by Phelps in the second, but thegame fell apart for him in the sixth.


Nate McLouth singled to center to lead off the inning beforeMaholm first squared to bunt and then chopped a pitch to theleft side for an infield single. Perez then fielded a bunt byCesar Izturis near the third base line, but his throw sailedover the head of first baseman Carlos Delgado to tie the game at1-1.


"It was a pretty good bunt, but if you make the throw there youget the guy out," Mets manager Willie Randolph said.

It was the first error charged to a Mets starter this season.

Perez retired the next two batters, but Nady hit a hard groundball that bounced off the leg of third baseman David Wright fora two-run single, giving the Pirates a 3-1 lead.


Phelps followed with a two-run homer to left-center field.

"It was a 2-2 fastball right over the heart of the plate,"Phelps said. "That's the best you can hope for in a count likethat."


The Pirates added three runs in the seventh on RBI singles byJason Bay and Nady and an RBI double by Phelps that made it 8-2.

All three hits were off struggling reliever Joe Smith, who wasoptioned to Class AAA New Orleans after the game.


Damaso Marte worked the seventh, allowing a sacrifice fly toRuben Gotay.


Shawn Chacon allowed a home run to Reyes in the eighth and MattCapps worked the ninth.


Milledge, who homered with one out in the sixth, started hissecond straight game in center field in place of Carlos Beltran,who suffered an abdominal strain during batting practice onWednesday.

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at NY METS

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
PITTSBURGH 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 0 0 8 11 0
NY METS 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 4 7 2 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: PIT - PAUL MAHOLM, DAMASO MARTE (7TH), SHAWN CHACON (8TH), MATT
CAPPS (9TH) AND RONNY PAULINO

NYM - OLIVER PEREZ, SCOTT SCHOENEWEIS (7TH), JOE SMITH
(7TH), GUILLERMO MOTA (8TH) AND RAMON CASTRO


WP - PAUL MAHOLM (7-12)
LP - OLIVER PEREZ (9-7)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: PIT - JOSH PHELPS (1) OFF OLIVER PEREZ IN THE 6TH, 1 ON

NYM - LASTINGS MILLEDGE (3) OFF PAUL MAHOLM IN THE 6TH, 0 ON
JOSE REYES (7) OFF SHAWN CHACON IN THE 8TH, 0 ON


TIME: 2:46 ATT: 52,150

PROBABLES: WAS - TIM REDDING (1-2, 2.92)
NYM - JORGE SOSA (7-5, 4.36)

PROBABLES: PIT - JOHN VAN BENSCHOTEN (0-4, 8.17)
PHI - JAMIE MOYER (8-8, 5.01)</div>