As has pretty much been the case for about six weeks, Paul Maholm was at the top of his game at PNC Park last night. Maholm pitched eight innings against the New York Yankees, allowing two runs on seven hits. His performance, along with a two-run homer by Nate McLouth that broke up a tie game in the seventh inning, were enough to give the Pirates a 4-2 win against the Yankees.

Maholm has been on a tear since the last day of May. During that time he is 4-0 with an earned run average of a superb 2.67.

It doesn't get much better than that, and because of this stellar work -- and, yes, because no one else in the rotation is close to deserving any accolades -- manager John Russell unofficially designated Maholm the team's ace by selecting him to start the first game after the All-Star break.

With some teams, being the ace is an honor. It's not with the Pirates. With the Pirates it's a sign bad days -- very bad days -- are ahead. Maholm should want no part of being the Pirates ace. He might even consider tossing a couple of bad games. Anything to avoid being the ace.

Consider:

In 2007, the Pirates ace was Tom Gorzelanny, who was 14-10 with a 3.88 ERA. Oh, what a future he had in front of him! This year, Gorzelanny is 6-5 with a National League-worst 6.57 earned run average. He's currently pitching for Indianapolis in the International League.

In 2006, the ace was Ian Snell, who was 14-11.

He slipped to 9-12 last year and is 3-7 with a 5.84 ERA this season. Like Gorzelanny, his once-bright future is in doubt.

In 2005, the Pirates top starter was Zach Duke, 8-2 with a 1.81 ERA. The following season he was 10-15; the one after 3-8.

In 2004, the ace was Oliver Perez, 12-10 with a 2.98 ERA. He was 7-5 with a 5.85 ERA the next season and 2-10 with a 6.63 ERA the next.

In 2003, Kip Wells was the man with a 10-9 record and a 3.28 ERA. Two years later he was 6-11 with a 5.05 ERA.

Those are frightening scenarios but Maholm has no choice but to live with the ace designation because it looks like no one is ready to take it away from him. The Pirates starting rotation has the worst ERA in the National League at 5.20 and Duke is the only other starter who has pitched even moderately well.

Maholm bordered on masterful against the Yankees, faltering only in the seventh when he allowed both of their runs and surrendered a 2-0 lead.

After retiring the first two batters, he had his only lapse of the night, giving up two singles before hitting Derek Jeter with a pitch to load the bases.

Bobby Abreu followed with a two-run single.

With Alex Rodriguez the next batter, Maholm looked to be in trouble.

But he retired Rodriguez on an infield grounder and came out even stronger in the eighth when he retired Jorge Posada, Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera in order.

"I backed myself into a corner," said Maholm, about his seventh-inning difficulties. "But I made my pitch to A-Rod. You can't feel sorry for yourself."

He left to a standing ovation from the capacity crowd and turned the game over to Damaso Marte, who earned his fourth save.

"He's been their most consistent pitcher and he showed why tonight," said New York manager Joe Girardi.

"He has very good stuff. His slider and curveball were outstanding. He located his fastball well."

Maholm, 26, is a rare breed on the Pirates roster -- something good left over from the Dave Littlefield era. Maholm was Littlefield's first-round pick in 2003. And, no, Littlefield did not proclaim him a No. 3 starter.

Maholm got off to a less-than stellar start by allowing two singles in the first inning. But he also struck out Rodriguez and Cano. He didn't allow another hit until the fifth when, with two on and two out, he struck out Abreu.

"I knew I had to go deep in the game," said Maholm, referring to the Pirates depleted bullpen. "I kept my pitches down, changed speeds and let my defense make plays."

Manager John Russell said, "It was a start we desperately needed. Those are the kind of starts he's been giving us."

It was the second straight game Maholm pitched eight innings. In every one of his eight starts since May 1, he has pitched at least until the seventh. In six of those starts he allowed two runs or less.

Yep, there's no doubt about it. Maholm is the Pirates ace. Poor guy.

First Published: July 11, 2008, 4:00 a.m.