Houston, TX -- (Sports Network) - 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.