Pirates 7, Giants 4
SAN FRANCISCO -- Center fielder Andrew McCutchen contributed a triple, double and two singles to a 14-hit attack Tuesday night, helping the Pittsburgh Pirates make it two in a row over the San Francisco Giants with a 7-4 victory.
Right-hander A.J. Burnett overcame a two-run first inning and a two-run home run by Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford to win a sixth consecutive start as the Pirates clinched their sixth consecutive non-losing series against the defending champions.
McCutchen and first baseman Pedro Alvarez drove in two runs apiece and shortstop Jordy Mercer smacked his first homer of the season, helping the Pirates win for the 10th time in their last 12 games.
Alvarez's RBIs came on a two-run double that capped a four-run third inning against Giants starter Chris Heston (5-4).
Alvarez, Mercer, third baseman Josh Harrison and second baseman Neil Walker had two hits apiece for the Pirates, who improved to 4-2 on their 10-game trip.
Burnett, whose string of nine consecutive starts allowing two or fewer runs ended in his previous outing in San Diego, extended his winning streak into June despite giving up four runs on eight hits in five innings. He stranded two Giants baserunners in three of his five innings.
Burnett (6-1) walked two and struck out five.
Right-hander Arquimedes Caminero pitched two hitless innings of relief before left-hander Tony Watson put the potential tying runs on base in a 7-4 game in the eighth. Watson got out of the two-out jam, however, by getting Giants second baseman Joe Panik to ground into a force out with the bases loaded.
Closer Mark Melancon recorded his second save in two nights, and 15th overall, with a scoreless ninth inning.
Right fielder Hunter Pence had three hits, including a double, and Crawford two for the Giants, who were out-hit 14-11. Catcher Buster Posey laced a two-run double in the first inning.
The loss was for fourth in a row for San Francisco, which stranded 11 baserunners.
Crawford's home run was his eighth of the season. He had to pace through a 4-minute, 45-second video review in order for it to become official.
A fan wearing a Giants jersey caught the home run ball, reaching over the top of the wall in left-center field to snatch it. Third base umpire Adrian Johnson ruled no interference.
For the second night in a row, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle challenged the call, hoping for fan interference that would have sent Crawford to second base and Brandon Belt back to third. However, the review crew in New York announced the call would stand, meaning no clear evidence existed to overturn it.
The two-run shot got the Giants even at 4-4, but Heston couldn't keep the Giants even for long. He was gone three batters into the fourth inning, having surrendered McCutchen's triple with two outs.
Right-hander Yusmeiro Petit came on to give up an RBI single to Walker, putting the Pirates back on top.
Heston, who contributed 7 1/3 innings to a 7-0 win over the Atlanta Braves in his previous start, gave up five runs in 3 2/3 innings Tuesday. He allowed seven hits and three walks, and he struck out six.
Mercer's homer off Petit made it 6-4 in the fifth.
NOTES: Giants C Buster Posey was the only San Francisco or Pittsburgh player leading at his position in the second reporting of National League All-Star balloting Tuesday. The Giants have five others -- SS Brandon Crawford (second), 2B Joe Panik (third), LF Nori Aoki (fourth), 1B Brandon Belt (fifth) and CF Angel Pagan (fifth) -- in the top five. No Pirate was in the top five. ... The Giants announced before the game that they promoted last year's first-round pick, RHP Tyler Beede, from Class A San Jose to Double-A Richmond. The 22-year-old had a 2.24 ERA in nine starts at San Jose. ... Both the Pirates and Giants fare significantly better this season in games when they are error-free than when they make one or more error. Through Monday, Pittsburgh was 16-12 when it didn't make an error, 11-12 when it did; San Francisco was 18-11 and 12-12, respectively.