FORT MYERS, Fla. — Pittsburgh Pirates manager John Russell and his staff won’t begin discussions about the Opening Day starter for several days, but based on the first two weeks of spring training, Paul Maholm has to like his chances again. In easily the most impressive of his three starts to date, Maholm shut down a loaded Boston Red Sox lineup on one single in three innings at City of Palms Park on Saturday afternoon. However, the Pirates dropped a 3-2 decision, their third in a row. ‘‘It’s something that I enjoyed last year and want to do again,’’ said Maholm, who started the regular-season opener a year ago. ‘‘I’d be disappointed if I wasn’t the one, but I would also be happy for whoever got (the assignment). I mean, it’s a fun competition between all of us. I’ve told (Russell and pitching coach Joe Kerrigan) that I’ll take the ball whenever they want me to take it.’’ Maholm lowered his earned run average to 3.00 this spring. His other starts were against the New York Yankees, another American League East powerhouse. ‘‘Paul kept the ball down,’’ Russell said. ‘‘He started to get the feel back again. I like the way he went about it. He pitched very well.’’ Second baseman Delwyn Young hit his second home run this spring, a solo shot that staked his team to a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning. ‘‘Delwyn is a dangerous hitter,’’ Russell said. ‘‘To have him around gives us a chance to solidify the benc.