Pirates 5, Rockies 3
PITTSBURGH -- Pinch-hitter Josh Harrison drove in the game-winning run with a single in the eighth inning, right fielder Gregory Polanco rapped out three hits and the Pittsburgh Pirates outlasted the Colorado Rockies 5-3 on Friday.
Catcher Francisco Cervelli and first baseman Pedro Alvarez each walked with one out. Cervelli moved to third on pinch-hitter Aramis Ramirez's fly-out then broke a 3-3 tie on Harrison's single.
Polanco followed with a single to center to score pinch-runner Sean Rodriguez and insure Pittsburgh's late lead.
The score remained tied in the visitor's half of the eighth at Polanco's behest. Shortstop Jose Reyes singled, advanced on a bunt then stole third before he tagged up to score on third baseman Nolan Arenado's fly-ball to right field.
Polanco snagged the ball in stride then fired home where the ball arrived well before Reyes, who was tagged out to set up the Pirates two-run eighth.
Colorado tied the score twice Friday but was unable to take a lead against the Pirates.
Left-hander Tony Watson (3-1) pitched a scoreless eighth to earn the win while right-hander Mark Melancon picked up his 42nd save with a perfect ninth.
Colorado right-hander Scott Oberg (3-3) was charged with the loss after giving up two runs in the eighth.
Right fielder Carlos Gonzalez tied the game at 3-3 in the sixth with his 31st home run of the year to right-center. Gonzalez preserved the tie in the home sixth when he laid out to catch Polanco's low line drive with the bases loaded and two outs.
Pittsburgh left-hander Francisco Liriano exited after the sixth. The Pirates have won each of his last 11 starts.
Liriano gave up three runs and four hits. He walked three and struck out five.
Colorado right-hander Jon Gray, the No. 3-overall choice in 2013, remains in search of his first career win after he took a no-decision in his fifth start as a major-leaguer.
Gray yielded three runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out six.
Pittsburgh took a 1-0 lead in its first at-bat. Center fielder Andrew McCutchen singled with two outs, stole second and scored on third baseman Jung Ho Kang's flare into right field.
Kang drove in another run in his next at-bat with a double to right-center field. Polanco singled and stole second, then scored on Kang's drive for a 2-0 Pittsburgh lead in the third.
Colorado tied the game in the fifth when shortstop Jose Reyes lined a two-run home run off the foul pole in left field. Left fielder Kyle Parker walked and took second on a wild pitch before scoring on Reyes' third home run with the Rockies.
Pittsburgh regained its lead in its half of the fifth. Polanco doubled, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on left fielder Starling Marte's sacrifice fly for a 3-2 edge.
NOTES: Colorado selected the contract LHP Jason Gurka from Triple-A Albuquerque. The Rockies optioned LHP Tommy Kahnle to Triple-A Albuquerque and designated LHP Kenny Roberts for assignment. Gurka posted a 2.86 ERA over 63 innings between Albuquerque and Double-A New Britain this season. ... Pittsburgh played Colorado for the first time in 2015. The Rockies were the only National League team the Pirates were yet to face. ... Rockies CF Charlie Blackmon was out of the starting lineup with an extra day off after Colorado's off-day Thursday. Blackmon played in each of Colorado's 37 games since the All-Star Break.