Pirates 4, Rockies 3
PITTSBURGH -- Third baseman Aramis Ramirez hit a three-run home run in the first inning and left-hander J.A. Happ held the Colorado Rockies to one run in 5 1/3 innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates won 4-3 Saturday.
The Pirates moved to 30 games over .500 at 79-49 for the first time since they finished the 1992 season with a 96-66 record. Pittsburgh remained 3 1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the race for the NL Central.
Colorado drew within a run in the ninth against right-hander Mark Melancon. First baseman Ben Paulsen led off with a single and catcher Nick Hundley followed with a two-run home run.
Melancon prevented the Rockies from scoring again to pick up his 43rd save.
Happ (3-1) gave up five hits and walked one. He's won each of his last three starts and owns a 0.78 ERA over his last four outings.
Rockies left-hander Chris Rusin (4-7) allowed three runs and five hits in six innings to deliver a quality start. Rusin walked three and struck out five.
The Pirates added an insurance run in the seventh at the expense of left-hander Jason Gurka, who only recorded one out after he relieved Rusin.
Second baseman Neil Walker and pinch hitter Michael Morse singled to start the inning and pinch runner Starling Marte scored on right fielder Gregory Polanco's fielder's choice.
Pittsburgh took command in its first turn at the plate on Ramirez's three-run home run. Left fielder Josh Harrison and center fielder Andrew McCutchen singled with one out and scored on Ramirez's 13th home run of the year.
Ramirez's home run was his first at PNC Park as a member of the Pirates since he hit one July 20, 2003.
Colorado broke through with a run in the third to draw within 3-1. Left fielder Brandon Barnes and Rusin singled leading off the inning and Barnes scored on center fielder Charlie Blackmon's fielder's choice.
Blackmon stole second and took third on a throwing error but was stranded when shortstop Jose Reyes flew out and right fielder Carlos Gonzalez popped out.
NOTES: Pittsburgh paid tribute to its 1960 World Series team with a pregame ceremony featuring 12 members celebrating the 55th anniversary of the franchise's third of five titles. ... Pittsburgh LF Starling Marte was out of the starting lineup with a day off after he played in each of the Pirates' last 28 games. Marte has only six hits in his last 29 at-bats (.207) and hitting .247 in August. ... Colorado 1B Ben Paulsen was back in the starting lineup after he did not play Friday. Paulsen is batting just .176 (3-for-17) in his last week of play and .244 during the month.