Pirates 5, Athletics 0
Pirates 5, Athletics 0: Francisco Liriano combined with two relievers on a five-hit shutout and Pedro Alvarez went 2-for-4 with two RBIs as host Pittsburgh salvaged the finale of the three-game interleague series to snap a four-game skid.
Jose Tabata, Andrew McCutchen and Russell Martin each drove in a run for the Pirates, who had lost the first 11 games in the all-time series against the Athletics.
Liriano (9-3) sat through a rain delay of nearly three hours before extending his personal winning streak to four games as he allowed four singles and a walk over seven innings. The left-hander, who struck out six, improved to 5-1 at home this year.
Pittsburgh broke through for three runs in the third inning against Tommy Milone (8-8) as Tabata delivered an RBI double before McCutchen and Alvarez added run-scoring singles. Martin and Alvarez capped the scoring an inning later with back-to-back RBI base hits.
Milone lasted just 2 2/3 innings, surrendering three runs and seven hits. Coco Crisp collected three of the five hits by the Athletics, who lost for only the fourth time in 14 contests.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Alvarez committed his major league-high 16th error in the third inning. The third baseman led the majors with 27 last season. ... Oakland RHP Sonny Gray made his major-league debut, allowing one hit and striking out three in two scoreless innings. The 23-year-old was selected 18th overall in the 2011 draft. ... Pittsburgh fell one run short of its total during its losing streak.