Pirates grab 6-3 win over White Sox

The Pittsburgh Pirates are riding a nice little wave right now.

The team improved to 3-1 on the homestand after beating the Chicago White Sox 6-3 in the first game of a two-game set Tuesday night.

Adam Frazier kicked off the offense with a solo shot in the third inning to put the Buccos up 1-0.

The Pirates doubled their lead in the sixth with a Bryan Reynolds RBI to score Adam Frazier, who led off the inning with a walk.

Tyler Anderson took the mound tonight and pitched a strong six innings against a very formidable White Sox lineup.

However, he ran into trouble in the seventh inning and surrendered a pinch-hit 3-run home run to Yasmani Grandal to give the White Sox a 3-2 lead.

But the Buccos bounced back.

The Pirates strung together singles from Gregory Polanco and Phillip Evans to bring Kevin Newman up to the plate, and chaos ensued after laying down a perfect bunt. Yoan Moncada erred on the throw to first and Polanco scored to tie the game.

Erik Gonzalez then followed Newman to break the tie and put the Pirates in front for good with a 2-RBI single.

After a Reynolds insurance run later in the seventh, the Pirates rolled in the eighth and ninth, not allowing a hit and striking out four of the final six White Sox batters.

The momentum and morale is infectious now with the Pirates. While they still aren’t a very good bunch, they are more talented than they have showed in the past two weeks and I think we’re seeing the progression to the mean.

The Pirates look for a sweep against the White Sox tomorrow at PNC Park. First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. EST.