Three-run seventh inning lifts Pirates over Giants in series opener

The Pirates snapped their four-game losing skid in grand fashion on Friday as they beat the San Francisco Giants, 6-4, at Oracle Park.

Chad Kuhl got off to a strong start, striking out the first six batters he faced in the game. The last time a Pirates pitcher fanned the first six hitters faced was James McDonald in 2013.

Gregory Polanco got the Pirates on the board in the second with an RBI triple that scored Ben Gamel from first base. Bryan Reynolds drove in two in the third with a two-run home run - his 18th of the season.

San Francisco got on the board in the bottom half of the third after Steven Duggar hit his seventh home run of the year. Alex Dickerson would drive in a pair with a home run in the bottom of the sixth, ultimately tying the game at three.

Pittsburgh would add three in the seventh inning, but they did so without posting a hit in the frame.

Jacob Stallings walked to open the inning and Kevin Newman reached on a fielder’s choice to shortstop Thairo Estrada. Wilmer Difo pinch hit for Chris Stratton and walked to load the bases for Adam Frazier, who pushed the go-ahead run across the plate with a walk.

After Ke’Bryan Hayes grounded into a fielder’s choice and Bryan Reynolds struck out looking, Giants first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. mishandled a ground ball by Ben Gamel, which allowed Difo and Frazier to score two insurance runs.

The trio of Clay Holmes, David Bednar and Richard Rodriguez held down the fort in the final three innings and secured the win for the Pirates. Chris Stratton, who took over for Kuhl in the sixth, earned his third win of the season.

The Pirates take the series opener in San Francisco, and will go for two in a row Saturday night against the Giants.