TAMPA -- Paul Maholm pitched four almost perfect inning and the Pirates struck for four runs in the eighth inning to beat the New York Yankees, 5-3, today at Legends Field.

Maholm, who struck out actor Billy Crystal to begin the game, allowed one hit and no walks and threw only 46 pitches.

"He threw the ball very well," manager John Russell said. "It's coming together for him."

Pirate reliever Byung-Hyun Kim allowed two home runs and three runs in his inning today.

The Pirates scored a run in the seventh on a double by Nate McLouth and a single by Jason Bay.

In a four-run eighth inning, Steve Pearce and Doug Mientkiewicz had run-scoring singles and Jorge Velandia had a two-run single.