Brian Kersey, Associated Press photos Freddy Sanchez jumps over the Cubs' Jacque Jones after forcing him out at second in the ninth inning yesterday. Click photo for larger image. Looking Ahead: Who: Pirates (Santos 5-9) vs. Cubs (Mateo 1-2), Wrigley Field. When: 8:05 p.m. TV/radio: FSN Pittsburgh/KDKA-AM (1020) and Pirates Radio Network. More Coverage: Pirates Notebook: Compared to Big Ben, Wilson was unlucky Stats Geek: NL Central's flaws give Pirates hope

But he also knew, as did others on the Pirates' side, that he had the talent and temperament to escape it after having done it so many times before.

Pitching coach Jim Colborn: "Every bit of adversity he faces, he has a chance to learn. And he is learning, believe me."

Catcher Ronny Paulino: "He knows how to relax in those situations, how to take a deep breath."

And Maholm: "I just needed to make my best pitches."

Which is precisely what he did in pushing the Pirates through a 5-4 edging of Chicago yesterday at Wrigley Field, one that drew them within a half-game of the Cubs for fifth place in the Central Division.

It started quite well.

The offense scored five times off Chicago ace Carlos Zambrano, who was forced to exit after 1 1/3 innings -- shortest outing of his career -- because of back spasms. An RBI single by Jason Bay and bases-clearing double by Xavier Nady made it 4-0 in the first, and an error by Chicago shortstop Ronny Cedeno brought another run in the second.

"It's always great to string a bunch of hits, especially against Zambrano," Nady said.

It soured quickly.

After one out in the second, Maholm gave up a walk and a single. After another out, he hit Scott Moore, making his major-league debut, to load the bases. Juan Pierre's infield single brought one run, and Ryan Theriot's bases-clearing double pulled the Cubs within 5-4.

"We put them right back in the game," manager Jim Tracy said.

And it looked as though the Cubs would forge ahead in Maholm's critical fifth.

He started it by walking Pierre, one of the sport's fastest players. Pierre was bunted to second and stole third without a throw, thanks to Maholm's not keeping him close.

And now, here were Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee.

"Yeah, great," Maholm said.

Maholm got Ramirez to look at two strikes before the count evened. Ramirez fouled off the next five pitches, took a ball, fouled off two more and ... swung over a curveball that bounced in the dirt.

"I threw absolutely everything I had at him," Maholm said. "And I'm out there thinking I didn't know if I had a pitch for him."

Lee was no easier. He worked the count to 2-2, fouled off two pitches and ... swung over a sinker to end the inning.

Maholm had shaken off Paulino's sign for a fastball.

"I wasn't letting him shake me off early in the game," Paulino said. "But I let him have that one because of the situation. He trusts his stuff."

Maholm was finished after that, having thrown 105 pitches. And, because of continued excellence by the bullpen, he would wind up winning his third consecutive decision and improving his rookie record to 7-10.

	THE RACE How Freddy Sanchez stands in his bid to become the first Pirates player to win the National League batting title since Bill Madlock in 1983. LAST GAME Yesterday: 2 for 5 vs. Cubs. LEADERS Freddy Sanchez .346 Miguel Cabrera, Marlins .337 Matt Holliday, Rockies .331 NEXT GAME Today: 8:05 p.m. vs. Cubs. Pitcher: Juan Mateo. Sanchez is 0 for 1 lifetime vs. Mateo.

This despite a .384 opponents' on-base percentage that remains the highest of any full-time starter in the National League.

"I've got four different pitches I can throw in any situation," Maholm said, "so I stay aggressive no matter what."

Colborn made clear he would prefer to see those messes minimized.

"What you saw in the fifth inning, that's the competitor Paul is," Colborn said. "But what you have to ask yourself, too, is how Pierre got on base. All the hitters that you face are tough. That has to be your approach."

John Grabow, Damaso Marte and Matt Capps preserved the 5-4 lead through three more innings before Salomon Torres took the ball in the ninth.

He ended it by striking out John Mabry swinging over a split-fingered fastball, then leaped off the mound in a clear imitation of Mike Gonzalez, the injured closer he is replacing.

"If I'm going to fill in for a while, I might as well do the whole thing," Torres said, with a grin.

The Pirates have been in last place every day this season, but that could change tonight. And they continued to make no secret of their hope that it happens.

"No question about it," Maholm said. "We want to get out of the cellar."

And the other side?

The Cubs' Lee, perhaps noticing the Pirates' postgame exuberance on the field, reacted this way: "I don't want to finish in last place. We don't want to finish in last place. But those are bad goals to have. For them to be getting excited about getting out of last place ... I don't know how much difference it really makes. But I don't want to finish in last place."