We hear it all the time from coaches after a win: “We played a great game, got a much-needed win but we’re still searching for that complete effort—all facets of the game.”

You wont hear that from Clint Hurdle for awhile.

The Pirates thoroughly destroyed the Cubs 10-0 Saturday afternoon, belting out 10 hits of which four left the park.  The Pirates started the scoring in the top of the fourth when Steve Pearce drilled an 87 mph fastball up the middle for a two run single. 

Two batters later, Ronny Cedeno widened the margin with a three-run shot to right field, extending the lead to 5-0. 

The Pirates tacked on two runs in the sixth off of a pair of solo shots from Lyle Overbay and Chris Snyder. 

In the seventh inning, Andrew McCutchen destroyed an outside fastball into the right field seats, extending the lead to nine. 

An RBI double by Garrett Jones in the ninth put salt in the wound, as the Pirates scored double-digit runs for the second time this season.  

The pitching, as it has been all season, was spectacular, as Pirates starter Paul Maholm tossed a three-hit shutout and lowered his ERA by .47 points. It was Maholm’s third shutout of his career. 

Battling problems with his teammates giving him little run support all season, Maholm saved his best outing for a 10-run effort by the hitters.  Heading into the game, Maholm was the second “unluckiest” starter in the majors with his offense averaging just 1.9 runs per start.  Pearce’s two-run single to start the scoring onslaught was more than enough for Maholm. 

Notes

• Andrew McCutchen’s home run was his ninth of the year, leading the team.
• Steve Pearce left the game with a calf injury after scoring on Cedeno’s three-run home run in the fourth.  Brandon Wood took his place.
• Paul Maholm was the only Pirates starter who did not record a hit.
• May 28, 2011: Pirates record 15th road win of the season.  It took until September 12, 2010 for the Pirates to record their 15th road win last season.
• Per Root Sports, Pedro Alvarez will rehab in Bradenton but will not be allowed to run after hitting the ball.
• Pirates will go for their first three-game sweep of the season tomorrow.  Karstens vs. Dempster

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates have placed third baseman Pedro Alvarez on the 15-day disabled list with a lingering leg injury and recalled infielder Pedro Ciriaco from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Alvarez missed four games earlier this month after straining his right quadriceps. He aggravated it last weekend against Milwaukee and manager Clint Hurdle said it didn’t appear to be getting better.

The 24-year-old Alvarez, the second overall pick in the 2008 draft, is batting .208 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 36 games for the Pirates.

Brandon Wood replaced Alvarez in the lineup for Saturday night’s game against the Detroit Tigers.

Ciriaco is hitting .193 with two homers in 36 games with Indianapolis.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Pirates have placed third baseman Pedro Alvarez on the 15-day disabled list with a lingering leg injury and recalled infielder Pedro Ciriaco from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Alvarez missed four games earlier this month after straining his right quadriceps. He aggravated it last weekend against Milwaukee and manager Clint Hurdle said it didn’t appear to be getting better.

The 24-year-old Alvarez, the second overall pick in the 2008 draft, is batting .208 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 36 games for the Pirates.

Brandon Wood replaced Alvarez in the lineup for Saturday night’s game against the Detroit Tigers.

Ciriaco is hitting .193 with two homers in 36 games with Indianapolis.