game with the 127th-ranked pass defense in the nation, next-to-last in the FBS. While Litton and Clark heated up in the second half, the Panthers got in the final word. Cornerback Avonte Maddox -- pick

PITTSBURGH -- The Milwaukee Brewers invested $50 million on Matt Garza three years ago to be their staff ace. Theyve been rewarded with 15 victories since then, just one this season.The Pittsburgh Pirates, never one to throw money around, are paying left-hander Francisco Liriano $13 million to be their staff ace this season. Theyve been rewarded with only five victories, and just one in his last nine starts dating to May 24.The NL Central rival Brewers and Pirates wrap up the first of their five series over the second half of the season Thursday, when two of the majors most disappointing starting pitchers match up only 10 days before the trading deadline.The Brewers, of course, would love to see Garza pitch well -- something hes done infrequently while going 15-25 overall since signing his big contract. And not just to benefit them on the field.Garza, 32, has pitched so little this season due to a lat problem that landed him on the 60-day disabled list -- and pitched so ineffectively when hes been on the mound -- that hes significantly reduced his value. If they could swing a deal, the Brewers no doubt would pay much of the money still due Garza through the end of the 2017 season.Garza has made only one quality start in six games, and the Brewers are 1-5 in those -- including a 5-4 loss Friday at Cincinnati in which he gave up four earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. Opposing hitters are batting .328 against the right-hander.Lirianos struggles are more pronounced because he has been in the Pirates rotation all season, making 19 starts. But hes lasted at least six innings only once since June 11 -- during a 5-1 loss in Washington on Friday.And the problems he developed early in the season with his mechanics, and with throwing strikes, arent going away.Once the protege of Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage, Liriano and Searage havent seemed to be on the same page as Lirianos uneven first half of the season has carried over into the second half. And with the Pirates searching for a reliable starting rotation down the stretch -- theyd probably like to add a starter -- it becomes even more important for them to get Liriano untracked.Im more focused on throwing strikes right now, not thinking about the hitters and whether they can put the ball in play or not, Liriano said after the Nationals loss, in which he walked at least three for the ninth time in 10 starts. Im just making sure Im executing pitches and throwing everything down in the zone.Each team will be looking for a series win Thursday following the Pirates 3-2 win on Tuesday and the Brewers 9-5 decision on Wednesday, when Jonathan Lucroy drove in three runs and Scooter Gennett and Chris Carter had two RBI each.Every time those guys came up, they were in RBI situations. What you want in your lineup is for the first two guys to set up your big run producers, and Brauny and Luc came through, Brewers manager Craig Counsell said.Pirates starter Jeff Locke and four relievers aided the Brewers offense by combining to walk nine.He (Locke) will be the first to tell you he walked too many guys -- when you walk guys and they get a big hit, that can hurt you in a hurry, Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer said.The Brewers kept the pressure on the Pirates by twice executing double steals, one involving leadoff hitter Jonathan Villar, who reached base four straight times on two singles and two walks.Well pick spots to run and try to capture bases, and just push it and keep pressure (on), Counsell said.Thats a strategy theyll try to employ Thursday against Liriano, who has lost his last three decisions at PNC Park. Authentic Custom Dodgers Jersey . 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William Carrier opened the scoring for Cape Breton (6-4-2), but Andrew Ryan tied the game and Brent Andrews put the Mooseheads (8-6-0) in front for good with a short-handed goal at 13:49 of the second period. PITTSBURGH -- A once seemingly insurmountable four-touchdown lead gone against resilient Marshall on Saturday night, Pittsburgh could have played it safe and tried to hold on.Not this time.Up by just a field goal and facing third down near midfield, Pitt quarterback Nate Peterman lobbed a deep ball to Jester Weah down the sideline. The junior wide receiver pulled it in over a defender and raced to the end zone for a 54-yard touchdown with 1:04 remaining and the Panthers pulled away late for a 43-27 win.I loved it when they called the play, Weah said. I knew I had the ability to make the play. I just had to go out there and just do it.And help Pitt (3-2) avoid another late meltdown. Two weeks after giving up the go ahead touchdown with 2:18 to play in a loss at Oklahoma State and seven days after a 13-point fourth-quarter lead turned into a last-second loss at North Carolina, the Panthers appeared in trouble again when Marshalls Keion Davis scored on a 1-yard run with 4:01 to play to pull the Thundering Herd (1-3) within 30-27.After falling to the Tar Heels, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said his team couldnt afford to become predictable in late-game situations. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada was listening. Peterman hit Scott Orndoff on third down to extend the drive before Petermans second touchdown of the game let the Panthers exhale.The best thing is we made plays when we needed to at the end, Narduzzi said.Peterman finished with a season-high 280 yards passing and two scores. Weah caught seven passes for 176 yards and freshman Chawntez Moss ran for 97 yards. Pitt outgained the Thundering Herd 532-344.Still, it wasnt exactly easy.Marshall quarterback Chase Litton returned after missing a loss to Louisville last week and threw for 240 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Michael Clark caught four passes for 147 yards, including an 83-yard touchdown as part of Marshalls methodical rally, one that hardly seemed possible after an opening 330 minutes in which Pitt did whatever it wanted.ddddddddddddPAYING TRIBUTEPitt held a moment of silence before the national anthem in honor of golfer Arnold Palmer. The native of Latrobe, Pennsylvania (about an hour from Heinz Field) passed away at 87 last week.The Panthers also saluted Dr. Stanley Marks following the first quarter. Marks served as Pitt running back James Conners oncologist while the 2014 ACC Player of the Year underwent treatment for Hodgkins lymphoma discovered last Thanksgiving. Conner, who ran for 39 yards and a touchdown, ran in to give Marks a hug and Narduzzi jogged onto the field to follow suit.WELCOME RETURNPitt entered the game with the 127th-ranked pass defense in the nation, next-to-last in the FBS. While Litton and Clark heated up in the second half, the Panthers got in the final word. Cornerback Avonte Maddox -- picked on repeatedly by opponents over the last three weeks -- returned a Litton pass 33 yards for a score on the games final play.Avonte Maddox needed that, Narduzzi said.THE TAKEAWAYMarshall: Litton appears to be just fine and may have one of Conference USAs better wide receivers in Clark. The 6-foot-7 sophomore will be a matchup nightmare down the road.Pitt: The kids are starting to deliver. Narduzzi gave considerable playing time to a handful of freshman, including Moss and freshman wide receivers Tre Tipton and Maurice Ffrench, with promising results. The trio combined for 156 yards of total offense and a pair of touchdowns. Thats what we expect, Tipton said. UP NEXTMarshall: Opens Conference USA play on the road at North Texas next Saturday. The Thundering Herd beat the Mean Green 30-13 last year.Pitt: Gets back into ACC action when it hosts Georgia Tech next Saturday. The Panthers edged the Yellow Jackets 31-28 in 2015 on Chris Blewitts 56-yard field goal with 1:11 to go. ' ' '