After a six-inning outburst in the first inning Sunday, the Nationals’ offense has scored 32 times in the last six games. Can that continue? Left-hander Paul Maholm is today’s opponent, as the Pittsburgh Pirates swing through Nationals Park for a two-game series.
Back on April 25, Maholm limited the Nationals to four hits and two runs over seven innings as the Pirates won, 4-2.
Maholm works his fastball around 87-88 miles per hour and leans heavily on his changeup and curveball (they account for 31 percent of his pitches).
Walks are a bit of an issue for Maholm, with 21 over 50 innings. He issued five walks in his last start. But he’s pitched into the sixth inning in seven of eight starts en route to a 3.60 earned-run average.
Maholm’s biggest problem has been run support. In his five decisions, the Pirates have been shut out three times and scored three runs.
Here’s how the Nationals have fared against Maholm:
Roger Bernadina 1-for-3
Danny Espinosa 1-for-5
Jayson Werth 8-for-21 (.381), .409 OBP, 3 2B, 1 HR.
Laynce Nix: Hasn’t faced.
Adam LaRoche: 2-for-4, 1 2B.
Wilson Ramos: 0-for-3.
Ian Desmond: 2-for-6.
Jerry Hairston: 4-for-13 (.308), .333 OBP, 1 2B, 1 HR.
John Lannan: 1-for-5, 1 2B.
Others:
Brian Bixler: 0-for-3.
Alex Cora: 1-for-3.
Mike Morse: 1-for-5.
Ivan Rodriguez: 4-for-9 (.444), .444 OBP, 1 HR.
