Diamondbacks 6, Pirates 3
Jason Kubel hit a pair of two-run homers and Joe Saunders continued his strong pitching on the road with seven solid innings as visiting Arizona salvaged a four-game split with Pittsburgh.
Wil Nieves hit a go-ahead two-run homer in his Arizona debut as the Diamondbacks kept Pirates starter Wandy Rodriguez winless in a Pittsburgh uniform and pulled within four games of National League West-leading San Francisco.
The Pirates, who lost for just the sixth time in their last 28 home games, fell three games behind NL Central leader Cincinnati, which was scheduled to face the Chicago Cubs on the road Thursday night.
Saunders (6-8) entered the game with the National League's third-best road ERA at 2.48, and he kept up his strong pitching away from home. He allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits to beat the Pirates for the second time this season.
Rodriguez (7-11) allowed four runs on seven hits over six innings in his third start since being acquired from Houston and his home debut for Pittsburgh. He surrendered Kubel's blast in the first and Nieves' go-ahead shot in the sixth.
Kubel launched his second homer of the day - his 25th of the season - into the bullpen in left-center against Jared Hughes in the seventh.
J.J. Putz struck out two in a perfect ninth for his 21st save.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Nieves was claimed off waivers from Colorado on Monday. … Saunders has lasted at least six innings in 16 of his 19 starts this season, including nine straight. He has recorded a quality start in nine of his 10 road starts. … Rodriguez has lost seven of his last eight decisions. … Pirates C Michael McKenry extended his hit streak to nine games with an RBI single in the second. … Diamondbacks utility man Willie Bloomquist (back) was a late scratch.