Paul Maholm and the Pirates destroyed the Cubs, 9-1, at PNC Park Sunday night, as the Bucs headed into the All-Star break with a 47-43 record.
The Bucs got one run against Cubs starter Ramon Ortiz in the first inning, then really nailed him in the third, when Neil Walker had an RBI double and Andrew McCutchen had a three-run homer. The Pirates tacked on a run in the fifth, then had three more in the eighth, thanks in part to a two-run double by Garrett Jones.
Maholm, meanwhile, cruised through 7.2 innings, striking out eight and getting double plays in each of the first four innings.
Neil Walker went 3-for-4 with three extra-base hits (two doubles and a triple) on the day, while McCutchen had five RBIs.
Both the Brewers and Cardinals won, which means that the Pirates are still one game behind both of them for the NL Central lead.
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