Message #96702

[2k6nats]

July 1, 2007 - PNC Park, 1:35

Paul Maholm 4-10, 4.80 ERA	Mike Bacsik 1-5, 5.08 ERA
Rajai Davis (CF) Jose Bautista (3B) Freddy Sanchez (2B) Xavier Nady (RF) Jason Bay (LF) Adam LaRoche (1B) Ronny Paulino (C) Jack Wilson (SS) Paul Maholm (P)	Ryan Langerhans (CF) Ronnie Belliard (2B) Ryan Zimmerman (3B) Dmitri Young (1B) Austin Kearns (RF) Ryan Church (LF) Felipe Lopez (SS) Brian Schneider (C) Mike Bacsik (P)

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It was the slumping Braves who found some fire in their bats against Bacsik, who threw six innings and gave up five runs on eight hits against them on Wednesday. All the runs came on long balls. After the Nationals gave Bacsik a 1-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI double by Langerhans, the Braves tied things up in the bottom of the inning when Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a home run over the center-field fence. The Braves took the lead in the fifth by scoring four runs. Saltalamacchia hit another homer. Five batters later, Andruw Jones hit a three-run shot.

Maholm was brilliant against the Marlins on Tuesday, scattering three hits and two runs in 7 2/3 innings to help Pittsburgh snap a five-game losing streak. Maholm allowed a single and a walk to lead off the game, then retired 23 of the next 24 hitters he faced. Maholm mixed speeds well and kept his breaking ball low. Pirates manager Jim Tracy said it conjured up images of Maholm's complete-game shutout of the Astros in April. Maholm has not faced the Nationals this year -- he earned a no decision in his only start against them last season after allowing three runs in 6 1/3 innings.