Pirates 4, Diamondbacks 1
PITTSBURGH -- J.A. Happ threw six shutout innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates used a three-run second inning to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-1 Wednesday.
Pittsburgh took two out of three games from Arizona and the Pirates lead the National League wild-card race by 3.5 games.
The Pirates added an insurance run in the eighth when Arizona right-hander Zack Godley walked first baseman Pedro Alvarez with the bases loaded.
Happ (1-1) earned his first victory as a Pirate. He gave up two hits, walked two and struck out three.
Both walks came in the second when he put center fielder A.J. Pollock and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia on leading off the inning. Pollock advanced to third but was stranded when right fielder Yasmany Tomas grounded out.
Arizona did not advance another runner past first base until the ninth.
Diamondbacks left-hander Robby Ray also lasted six innings but his outing was marred by the three-run second.
Ray (3-9) allowed three runs and seven hits. He walked two and struck out five.
The left-hander has lost his last five decisions and the Diamondbacks have lost in his last four starts.
Right-hander Joakim Soria and left-hander Tony Watson worked shutout innings before right-hander Mark Melancon's services were required despite a four-run lead. Left-hander Antonio Bastardo gave up a walk and hit and Melancon was called out of the bullpen.
First baseman Paul Goldschmidt hit an RBI single to left to cut Pittsburgh's lead to 4-1. Melancon retired the next three batters to record his 38th save.
Pittsburgh second baseman Sean Rodriguez finished with three hits and an RBI. Center fielder Andrew McCutchen and left fielder Starling Marte added two hits apiece.
Pittsburgh scored three runs in the second off Arizona left-hander Robby Ray. Ray hit shortstop Jung Ho Kang, who advanced to third on catcher Francisco Cervelli's single and scored on a wild pitch.
Second baseman Sean Rodriguez hit a single to score Cervelli and right fielder Gregory Polanco hit an RBI double to left-center for a 3-0 lead.
Pittsburgh threatened to score again in the fourth after first baseman Michael Morse and Rodriguez singled with one out, but Polanco grounded out to strand runners at second and third.
NOTES: Pittsburgh added RHP Josh Wall to the active roster after the bullpen was taxed in the Pirates' 9-8, 15-inning win Tuesday. SS Pedro Florimon, who tripled home the walk-off run, was designated for assignment. ... Arizona recalled RHP Zack Godley from Double-A Mobile and optioned RHP Chase Anderson to Triple-A Reno. Anderson has given up 12 runs over 9 2/3 innings in his last two starts. ... Pittsburgh CF Andrew McCutchen was elected to the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame on Wednesday.