Getting the least amount of run support as a starting pitcher in all the National League in 2011 (3.53 runs/game), Maholm is given little room for error when he pitches. Monday night was no exception.
Looking for a series split and a winning a record on what was the final game of their longest home stand of the season, the Pirates staked Maholm to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning thanks to a questionable obstruction call on Mets’ shortstop Jose Reyes. There was no looking back for Maholm.
He tossed seven brilliant shutout innings, scattering three hits and lowering his ERA to a highly respectable 3.12, moving him into 11th in the NL, two spots behind teammate Charlie Morton (3.08).
After another rocky outing from reliever Jose Veras, in which he did not record an out in the eighth, recent AAA call-up Tim Wood worked the Pirates out of a jam, getting Ruben Tejada to lineout to left, doubling off Lucas Duda at first base, and putting an end to the New York threat.
Hanrahan would work a clean ninth, earning his seventeenth save in as many opportunities.
Maholm has never been one to benefit from significant offensive output. Yet he has continued to show signs of his maturing as a pitcher. No longer a young player, Maholm has, in my mind, earned the reputation as a “crafty left-hander.”
By showing that he’s capable of changing velocities effectively, working the ball in and out, up and down, Maholm has become a guy who manager Clint Hurdle can depend upon to go deep into ballgames, preserving the bullpen.
The Pirates will head to Houston next to take on the Astros for a three game series before heading to Cleveland for a short interleague series.
Jeff Karstens will look to pick up where Maholm left off on Tuesday night when he toes the rubber against young right-hander Bud Norris.
Written by Shane McFarland
Follow me on Twitter @mcfarlands412 or Email me at stmcfarland5@gmail.com
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