lost weekend

It started in Chicago, spread to St. Louis and wound up in New York. A bug bit the three Mississippi-connected starting pitchers in the big leagues this weekend, leaving all three feeling a little sick. Mississippi State product Paul Maholm, pitching for Atlanta, lasted just three-plus innings against the White Sox on Saturday. He gave up seven earned runs, took the loss in a 10-6 defeat and left the game with some kind of problem in his left (pitching) wrist. Maholm, hot and cold much of the season, is now 9-9 with a 4.41 ERA. His spot in the rotation might be in jeopardy with former Mississippi Braves star Brandon Beachy seemingly ready for his 2013 debut after the Tommy John surgery layoff. In St. Louis on Saturday, Lance Lynn, the former Ole Miss star, was knocked around by San Diego, allowing four runs in five innings in a 5-3 loss. Lynn (11-5 overall) is now 1-4 with a 6.30 in his last five starts; that has to be troubling for the Cardinals, who are in a heated battle in the National League Central with Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Finally, today at Citi Field in the Big Apple, Meridian Community College alum Cliff Lee gave up three homers and five runs in Philadelphia’s 5-0 loss to the Mets. Lee (10-4) has surrendered seven homers in his last two outings – and in between he gave up a run in one inning of work in the All-Star Game.