Pirates 5, Marlins 2
PITTSBURGH -- Jung Ho Kang's two-run single capped a five-run rally in the seventh inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Miami Marlins 5-2 on Wednesday to run their winning streak to a season-high six games.
The Pirates trailed 2-0 with two out and none on in the seventh when catcher Chris Stewart and pinch hitter Jose Tabata hit consecutive singles off left-handed reliever Mike Dunn to put runners on the corners.
Right-hander Sam Dyson (2-2) relieved and gave up back-to-back RBI singles to right fielder Josh Harrison and pinch hitter Pedro Alvarez that tied the score.
Dyson then walked center fielder Andrew McCutchen and left fielder Starling Marte to force in the go-ahead run and Kang, the rookie third baseman, greeted righty Carter Capps with his two-run single to center to extend his hitting streak to nine games.
The rally made a winner of Gerrit Cole (7-2), who gave up two runs -- on solo home runs by first baseman Justin Bour and left fielder Christian Yelich -- in seven innings. Cole scattered seven hits, struck out seven and had no walks.
Cole has allowed two runs or less in eight of his last nine starts and hasn't give more than three runs in any of his 10 starts this season. He is also 11-2 in his last 15 starts, dating to last Sept. 7.
The Pirates have allowed just nine runs during their winning streak.
McCutchen and first baseman Sean Rodriguez had two hits each for the Pirates (24-22), who swept back-to-back three-game series from the New York Mets and Marlins to finish 6-2 on the homestand. Pittsburgh moved two games over .500 for the first time since it was 12-10 on April 29.
Mark Melancon pitched a scoreless ninth, retiring pinch hitter Ichiro Suzuki on a comebacker with two runners on to end the game for his 12th save in 13 opportunities.
Bour hit his third home run to lead off the second inning and Yelich increased the Marlins' lead to 2-0 when he connected for his second leading off the seventh.
The Marlins (18-30) lost for the 14th time in 17 games and scored less than three runs for the eighth time in 10 games.
Marlins spot starter Brad Hand pitched five scoreless innings after making 14 relief appearances to begin the season. Pressed into starting duty because right-handed starters Henderson Alvarez, Jarred Cosart and Mat Latos are on the disabled list, Hand gave up four hits with no walks and two strikeouts.
Dyson failed to retire any of the four batters and was charged with three runs.
Second baseman Dee Gordon had three hits for the Marlins to raise his National League-leading batting average to .376. Bour and catcher J.T. Realmuto added two hits each.
NOTES: With the Marlins starting a left-hander, Pirates 1B Pedro Alvarez and RF Gregory Polanco were not in the lineup. INF/OF Sean Rodriguez started at first base and 3B Josh Harrison started in right field while INF Jung Ho Kang played third base. ... The Marlins are off Thursday before opening a three-game series against the Mets on Friday night at New York. RHP Dan Haren (4-2, 3.09 ERA) will start for Florida against RHP Matt Harvey (5-2, 2.91 ERA). Haren is 4-2 with a 3.09 ERA against the Mets in nine career starts. ... The Pirates open a four-game series against the Padres on Thursday night at San Diego. RHP A.J. Burnett (4-1, 1.37 ERA) will start for Pittsburgh against RHP Ian Kennedy (2-4, 6.11 ERA). Burnett has won his last four starts and has also allowed two earned runs or less in each of his first nine starts this season, which is a club record.