Pittsburgh, PA -- (Sports Network) - Adam LaRoche went 4-for-5 with three doubles, an RBI, and two runs scored, as the Pittsburgh Pirates downed Florida, 7-4, to sweep a three-game series from the Marlins for the first time since July 16-18, 2004.
Andy LaRoche had a double and two RBI for the Pirates, who won 8-0 on Monday and 3-2 on Tuesday. Nyjer Morgan, Nate McLouth, and Jack Wilson had an RBI apiece. Morgan also stole a pair of bases in the tilt.
Paul Maholm (3-0) lasted six innings, allowing four runs on eight hits with four strikeouts for Pittsburgh. Maholm's earned run average is 2.02 through four starts, allowing six earned runs over 26 2/3 innings. He has won three straight starts. Matt Capps pitched a scoreless ninth to collect his fifth save of the year.
"The first three innings I felt great, then I made some bad pitches," Maholm said. "We got the win and we go on the road feeling good."
Hanley Ramirez went 2-for-4 with two runs scored for the Marlins, who had won seven straight coming into the series. Wes Helms, Ronny Paulino, Cody Ross, and Ricky Nolasco each had an RBI.
"It's not a shock, it happens. You play so many games that the chances of that happening are pretty good," Ross said about getting swept.
Nolasco (1-2) gave up six runs -- five earned -- on eight hits in six innings for Florida. The right-hander fanned five and walked three to take the loss.
With the contest deadlocked at four in the bottom of the sixth, Pittsburgh scored two runs in the inning to go ahead 6-4. Pinch-hitter Delwyn Young doubled to center following Jason Jaramillo's groundout. Morgan's single to center drove in Young, and Morgan advanced to second on the throw. Morgan stole third with Freddy Sanchez batting, and proceeded to take home following a throwing error from catcher Paulino.
Pittsburgh added an insurance run in the seventh to take a 7-4 lead. Wilson's RBI single to center with two outs knocked in Adam LaRoche, who doubled.
Relievers Jesse Chavez, Sean Burnett, John Grabow, and Capps combined to keep the Marlins from getting any closer in the final three frames.
The Pirates put a run on the board in the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead. Sanchez singled and McLouth walked following a Morgan pop out to lead off. Adam LaRoche knocked in Sanchez with a ground-rule double to left-center field. Brandon Moss was intentionally walked to load the bases, but Andy LaRoche struck out and Wilson grounded out to end the frame.
Pittsburgh added two more runs in the third to extend its margin to 3-0. Sanchez, who was hit by a pitch to lead off, stole second base with McLouth batting. McLouth singled to left field to score Sanchez, then Adam LaRoche singled to right to set up first and third with no outs. After Moss grounded out, Andy LaRoche's sacrifice fly to center drove in McLouth. Wilson struck out to end the inning.
Florida got on the board in the fourth to cut the deficit to 3-1. With two outs, Helms doubled to left field to knock in Ramirez.
The Marlins scored a run in the fifth to close within one run. Cameron Maybin doubled to center with two outs and nobody on. Nolasco singled to right to score Maybin, but Emilio Bonifacio ended the inning with a line out to left fielder Morgan.
The Pirates responded with a run of their own in the home half of the frame to regain a two-run advantage. After the first two batters were retired, Adam LaRoche doubled to right. Moss was intentionally walked again before Andy LaRoche doubled to drive in Adam LaRoche. A Wilson grounder to shortstop Ramirez ended the inning.
Florida scored a pair of runs in the top of the sixth to tie the tilt at four. With two outs and runners on the corners, Paulino singled to center to knock in Jeremy Hermida. Ramirez moved to third on the play and scored on a Ross double to right, but Maybin flied out to center to end the frame.
Game Notes
Since PNC Park opened in 2001, the Pirates have gone 19-9 against the Marlins in Pittsburgh...The Pirates left nine runners on base, compared to six for Florida.
