Updated

Pedro Alvarez had a three-run homer as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers, 6-3, in the rubber match of a three-game series at PNC Park.

Garrett Jones drove in two runs and Alex Presley went 3-for-4 with a solo home run for the Pirates.

Gerrit Cole (2-0), making his second career start, allowed three runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings for Pittsburgh. Jason Grilli pitched a scoreless ninth to notch his 25th save.

Andre Ethier had two RBI and Tim Federowicz drove in one run for the Dodgers, who have lost six of their last eight games. Starter Zack Greinke (3-2) surrendered five runs on eight hits and two walks in five frames.

Presley and Jordy Mercer hit back-to-back singles to begin the bottom of the first. Andrew McCutchen grounded into a fielder's choice to third where Presley was thrown out at the plate. However, Jones smacked a double to right center to score both Mercer and McCutchen.

The Dodgers got on the board in the second. Yasiel Puig hit an infield single, stole second base and scored on a groundout by Federowicz.

Los Angeles' Nick Punto singled to start the fourth and Puig hit an infield single with one out. Next up was Ethier, who singled to shallow left to plate Punto and tie the game. With two on and one out, Federowicz grounded into a double play to end the frame.

In the Pirates' fifth, Jones delivered a two-out single and Neil Walker drew a walk, setting up Alvarez's three-run smash to center.

"We needed someone to click one, and Pedro clicked one to give us an opening," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.

Adrian Gonzalez hit a two-out ground-rule double for Los Angeles in the sixth. After Puig singled to center, Ethier plated Gonzalez with a single to right. Federowicz drew a walk to load the bases, but Luis Cruz struck out.

Presley's solo shot came with two outs in the sixth for the final margin.

Grilli came on in the ninth for the Pirates. He allowed a two-out walk to A.J. Ellis, who advanced to second on defensive indifference, but struck out pinch-hitter Hanley Ramirez to end the game.

"We have to start throwing runs up consistently," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said.

Game Notes

Puig went 3-for-4 to raise his batting average to .479 ... Alvarez has 45 home runs over the last two seasons, most in the National League ... McCutchen went 0-for-4, ending a seven-game hitting streak ... The Pirates have 25 wins at home, most in the majors.