Pirates Defeat White Sox, 3-2
CHICAGO (AP) — Jeff Locke allowed just two runs in six innings, Jung Ho Kang hit a two-run home run and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the struggling Chicago White Sox 3-2 Wednesday night for their seventh straight win.
The Pirates, who had thrown three straight shutouts — and five in the previous six — saw their streak of scoreless innings end at 35.
Locke (4-3) was followed by Arquimedes Caminero, Tony Watson and Mark Melancon, who combined for scoreless relief over the final three innings with Melancon getting his 22nd save.
The White Sox, who snapped a string of 30 scoreless innings with two runs in the sixth, have dropped a season-high six straight.
Locke gave up three hits and had a season-high eight strikeouts.
White Sox starter John Danks (3-7) settled down after a shaky first inning to allow three runs on five hits in seven hittings.
The Pirates scored their three runs in the first inning. Josh Harrison led off with a double, advanced to third on a sacrifice and scored on a single by Andrew McCutchen. Kang then homered to make it 3-0.
The White Sox have been outscored 56-19 in the first inning this season. The 56 runs are the most allowed and the 19 runs the fewest scored in Major League Baseball.
Danks got in a groove after the homer and retire 19 of the final 20 batters he faced.
Chicago, though, didn't get its first hit until the fourth inning, and that came with two outs and nobody on — after a double play in which Melky Cabrera struck out swinging and was called for interfering with catcher Francisco Cervelli throwing to second base. By rule, the runner, Adam Eaton, was out as well.
White Sox manager Robin Ventura argued the call and was ejected by home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez.
Locke cruised into the sixth inning with a one-hitter and retired the first two batters. But just when it appeared Pittsburgh's scoreless streak would reach 36 innings, Eaton drew a two-out walk and Cabrera followed with a double down the left-field line on a hit-and-run play. Eaton easily scored to make it 3-1. After a walk to Jose Abreu, Avisail Garcia singled to score Cabrera and make it 3-2.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Pirates: LHP Starling Marte left the game in the ninth inning with left ankle discomfort.
UP NEXT
Pirates RHP Gerrit Cole (10-2, 1.71 ERA) leads the major leagues in wins and has won each of his last five starts with a 0.76 ERA over the stretch. Chicago counters with RHP Jeff Samardzija (4-4, 4.84), who has struggled of late.
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