MLB: Pittsburgh 7, Houston 3

PITTSBURGH, July 21 (UPI) -- Jason Bay and Adam LaRoche each had two RBI Saturday night as the Pittsburgh Pirates posted a 7-3 victory over the Houston Astros.

Freddy Sanchez homered and scored three times for the Pirates, who ended a season-high seven-game losing streak.

Former first-round draft pick Paul Maholm (6-12) allowed two runs on eight hits with five strikeouts and two walks over 6 2/3 innings to avoid a major league-leading 13th loss for the Bucs.

Mike Lamb homered for the Astros, who have split their last four games. Eric Bruntlett was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in the loss.

Left-hander Wandy Rodriguez (6-9) took the loss after allowing six runs on seven hits over five-plus innings.