Pirates 2, Marlins 1
MIAMI -- Right-hander Gerrit Cole won his 15th game of the season, and first baseman Pedro Alvarez homered to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Miami Marlins 2-1 on Thursday night at Marlins Park.
Cole, an All-Star who had lost his past three decisions, improved to 15-7, allowing five hits, no walks and one run in 7 1/3 innings. It was his first win since July 26.
He tied the St. Louis Cardinals' Michael Wacha for second place in the National League wins race. Madison Bumgarner of the San Francisco Giants and Jake Arrieta of the Chicago Cubs lead the league with 16 wins.
Alvarez hit a solo homer over the 418-foot sign in center field. It was his 21st homer of the season but just his third off a left-handed pitcher.
The lefty on this occasion was Marlins rookie Justin Nicolino (2-2), who allowed six hits, four walks and two runs in six innings.
Pittsburgh (77-49) opened the scoring in the second inning when catcher Francisco Cervelli led off with a triple to the warning track, his blast glancing off the glove of center fielder Marcell Ozuna. Cervelli scored on a sacrifice fly by second baseman Neil Walker.
Nicolino got out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the third by getting Cervelli to ground out to second. Cervelli, though, apparently didn't like one of the strikes called during his at-bat.
In the next inning, while playing defense, Cervelli objected when a similar pitch to Marlins catcher Jeff Mathis was called a ball. Cervelli was ejected from the game for arguing balls and strikes.
Alvarez's fourth-inning homer gave the Pirates a 2-0 lead, but Miami (51-77) battled back with a run in the seventh. Third baseman Martin Prado led off with a single, raced to third on Ozuna's one-one single and scored on left fielder Derek Dietrich's sacrifice fly.
The Pirates got good relief pitching in the eighth from left-hander Tony Watson, who inherited a runner on second and got two outs to escape the jam. As part of Watson's work, he struck out second baseman Dee Gordon, who started the day as the NL batting leader.
Mark Melancon pitched a scoreless ninth and earned his career-high 41st save of the season, getting first baseman Justin Bour to bounce into a key double play.
NOTES: Manager Clint Hurdle said the Pirates are still weighing whether to promote highly rated RHP Tyler Glasnow to the majors in September, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. ... Pirates RHP A.J. Burnett, who hasn't pitched since July 30 due to an elbow injury, expects to make at least three major league starts before the playoffs. ... Pirates C Francisco Cervelli (two banged-up feet) was back in the starting lineup. Hurdle said Cervelli could have played Wednesday had he been needed. ... Marlins RHP Andre Rienzo (left knee laceration) was activated from the disabled list. RHP Scott McGough was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans. ... Miami LF Christian Yelich (right ankle, right knee) did not start and is day-to-day. ... Marlins RF Giancarlo Stanton (fractured left wrist) is set to take batting practice at Class A Jupiter on Monday or Tuesday. ... Marlins RHP Jarred Cosart (vertigo) was set to throw his final rehab game Thursday night at Jupiter.