Josh Phelps had three RBIs and a career-high four hits, Paul Maholm scattered seven hits over seven innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Colorado Rockies 5-1 Thursday.

Phelps, who was acquired off waivers from the New York Yankees on June 22, went 4-for-5 in his sixth start for the Pirates. Maholm (10-14) allowed a run, walked two and struck out five in winning for the fifth time in seven starts.

The Pirates took three of four games from the struggling Rockies, losers of four of five.

Franklin Morales (0-1) struggled with his control in his second career start, walking five in four-plus innings for Colorado. He was charged with four runs and seven hits.

Phelps doubled in Freddy Sanchez with two outs in the first to put Pittsburgh in front. Phelps also doubled in Jack Wilson and Sanchez in the third and scored on Jose Bautista's single to make it 4-0.

Jason Bay singled in a run in the ninth for the Pirates, who finished with 10 hits.

Maholm worked out of a jam in the second inning. After walking Todd Helton and allowing a single to Garrett Atkins, Maholm struck out Ryan Spilborghs, Yorvit Torrealba and Jamey Carroll.

Helton singled and scored on Ryan Spilborghs' groundout in the fourth.

Shawn Chacon pitched a scoreless eighth and Matt Capps struck out two in a perfect ninth for the Pirates.