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Maholm, Cubs subdue Bucs
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Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher James McDonald delivers during the first inning of Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs in Pittsburgh.
Associated Press
PITTSBURGH
All the trade speculation concerning Chicago Cubs pitchers seems to center around Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza.
Multiple reports say the Cubs have already agreed to trades for Dempster with both the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers and are awaiting his approval as he has the right to veto any deal. Many clubs have reportedly also expressed interest in Garza.
However, Cubs left-hander Paul Maholm might also be becoming attractive to contenders as he has been one of the top pitchers in the major leagues in recent weeks.
Maholm threw eight strong innings Tuesday night to win his fifth straight start and lead the Cubs over the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1.
Moments after the final out, the contending Pirates announced they had acquired pitcher Wandy Rodriguez in a trade with Houston. The Pirates had reportedly been interesting in reacquiring Maholm.
Maholm gave up one run and four hits in handing the Pittsburgh its first back-to-back home losses since May 22-23. He struck out seven and walked one.
“I’ve made more than a few starts here and I enjoy pitching here,” Maholm said of PNC Park. “Obviously, it’s a pitcher-friendly park and if you make your pitches, it’s going to work out well for a ground ball guy. I thought I did well and executed my pitches and it always help to get good defense and some runs to work with.”
Maholm has allowed just four earned runs in 381/3 innings during his winning streak for an 0.94 ERA in that span. He spent his first seven seasons with the Pirates before signing with the Cubs as a free agent last winter.
“He’s been great,” Chicago manager Dale Sveum said. “He’s working in all four pitches and throwing them for strikes. He’s not giving in to the other team. He’s not doing anything he shouldn’t be doing. He’s well prepared and is executing his game plan. It’s been fun to watch.”
With a week to go until the July 31 deadline for making trades without securing waivers on players, Maholm says he is not paying much attention to rumors.
“I know there are some [rumors] out there but I signed to pitch with the Cubs and I’m not thinking about other teams,” Maholm said. “I like the team I’m with. I’ve enjoyed playing in Chicago this season. I guess we’ll see what happens in the next week.”
Starlin Castro and Alfonso Soriano each homered off James McDonald (10-4), who had his career-high five-game winning streak snapped. David DeJesus hit a tiebreaking two-run double for Chicago, which had totaled just three runs in its previous four games.
DeJesus doubled to left in the fifth inning to put the Cubs ahead 3-1, the hit coming after Maholm drew a two-out walk to load the bases.
PIRATES ACQUIRE RODRIGUEZ
The Pirates acquired left-hander Wandy Rodriguez from the Houston Astros for three minor league players.
The Pirates also get cash in the trade that was announced Tuesday night after losing to the Chicago Cubs 5-1. Pittsburgh is sending left-handers Rudy Owen and Colton Cain and outfielder Robbie Grossman to Houston.
Rodriguez is 7-9 with a 3.79 ERA for Houston, the worst team in the major leagues.