Houston, TX (Best E Casino) - Paul Maholm threw eight strong innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates took an 8-2 win over the Houston Astros in the second of a three-game set at Minute Maid Park.

Maholm (7-6) gave up five hits and one run with a walk and five strikeouts for the Pirates, who have won their last two on the heels of a five-game losing streak. Ryan Doumit hit a three-run home run while Freddy Sanchez added a solo home run and three runs scored.

Hunter Pence and Ty Wigginton each drove in a run for the Astros, who have dropped their last three games. Jack Cassel (1-1) got the loss for giving up five runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings of work.

Pittsburgh brought home one runner in each of the first three innings.

Sanchez belted a one-out, solo home run in the first to get the Pirates on the board.

In the second, Xavier Nady led off with a double, Adam LaRoche followed with a single and Jose Bautista then hit into a double play that brought home Nady.

Nate McLouth added a solo home run in the third, his 20th of the year, for a 3-0 lead.

Pittsburgh added to its lead in the fifth inning. Jack Wilson led off with a double and later came home on a single from Sanchez. After Doumit singled to right, Jason Bay knocked a single to left that brought home Sanchez for a 5-0 lead.

Maholm retired the first 10 batters he faced before giving up a one-out single to Michael Bourn in the fourth.

The Pirates increased their lead in the seventh as Doumit blasted a three-run home run to make it an 8-0 contest.

Houston broke the shutout in the seventh on an RBI single from Pence.

Wigginton's RBI single in the ninth scored Carlos Lee to account for the final score.

Game Notes

Nady has a 10-game hitting streak...Maholm has won five of his last six decisions...Pittsburgh has won six of eight games against Houston this season...Attendance was 33,996.