Pirates centerfielder Nate McLouth, who homered Saturday night in a losing cause in the Phillies 8-4 win, had a multi-homer game with 3 RBIs and lefthander Paul Maholm tossed a 2 hitter for his 3rd career complete game as Pittsburgh salvaged one game in their series winning by a 5-1 score.

Meanwhile, the Phils fell to a 2nd place tie with the New York Mets who defeated the Atlanta Braves by a 6-3 score.  Actually, the Mets now hold 2nd place by a .003 percentage.

McLouth opened the game with a solo shot to rightfield and Pittsburgh took a 1-0 lead after one.  Myers and Maholm then exchanged zeros until the Pirates fourth, even though Maholm walked one Phillie hitter in each of the second and third innings.  Though the Phils had runners on in both innings, each was quickly rubbed out on a doubleplay.

Pittsburgh scored their second run in the fourth on 3rd baseman Jose Bautista’s RBI single to centerfield.  Bautista then stole 2nd base and tried to score on a single to center but Jayson Werth nailed him at the plate to eliminate any further damage.

With the score 2-0 Pittsburgh in the fifth inning, the Phillies plated their only run on their only two hits of the game as leftfielder Pat Burrell doubled to leftfield with one out.  After 3rd baseman Pedro Feliz grounded out to 3rd base, shortstop Eric Bruntlett drove in Burrell with a single to centerfield.  The inning and threat ended with Bruntlett getting caught trying to steal 2nd base.  The Phillies would not get another hit off of Maholm and would only see two more hitters reach base on walks through the rest of the game.

Maholm, working with all the runs he’d need against the Phillies offense, received insurance in the fifth inning McLouth followed a Myers lead-off walk to Maholm by going yard to rightfield to increase the Pirate lead to 4-1.

With Rudy Seanez replacing losing pitcher Myers in the sixth, the Pirates added their final run on a doubleplay ball.  Ryan Madson and Clay Condrey finished up for the Phillies.

In a story also related to Saturday’s game, the Pirates announced that they have released starting pitcher Matt Morris.

For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Sunday’s games, click here.

The Phillies have an open date on Monday before heading home to entertain the San Diego Padres for three games on Tuesday through Thursday.  Ace lefthander Cole Hamels will be opposed by veteran Greg Maddux who aims for his 350th career win.

For the scores, boxscores and recaps on Monday’s games, click here.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, April 27th, 2008 at 5:34 pm and is filed under Real-Time Baseball News and Commentary, Phillies and NL East, Analysis, Predictions, etc. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.