Pirates rally to beat Rockies 5-4, earn 10,000th win
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DENVER (AP) Pedro Alvarez hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates earned their 10,000th win since joining the National League, beating the Colorado Rockies 5-4 on Thursday.
A day after clinching a playoff spot for the third straight season, the Pirates reached another momentous milestone. They're fifth all-time in NL wins behind San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles, according to STATS.
Starling Marte collected four singles and finished 13 for 20 in the four-game sweep. It's the most hits in a four-game series for a Pirates player since Pie Traynor had 13 in 1928.
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Alvarez had the big hit when he lined a fastball from Jairo Diaz (0-1) over the fence in right field.
Reliever Joe Blanton (5-0) earned the win for a second straight game. Mark Melancon pitched a perfect ninth to pick up save No. 50. He becomes the seventh NL closer to reach that total in a season.
Trailing 4-2 heading into the eighth, Marte and Neil Walker had one-out singles. After a strikeout, the stage was set for Alvarez. It was his 26th homer of the season.
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Nolan Arenado had a two-run double in his return to the lineup. He sat out Wednesday after banging his head on the dirt when he dove for a ground ball Tuesday.
The Pirates entered the day four games behind first-place St. Louis in the NL Central. They rested third baseman Aramis Ramirez (groin) and Gregory Polanco (knee) with a big series in Chicago against the Cubs starting Friday.
Cristhian Adames broke a tie in the fifth with an RBI triple into the left-center gap that scored Corey Dickerson.
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Chad Bettis was in line for the win after allowing two runs over six innings, but the bullpen couldn't hold it.
Jeff Locke threw 5 2-3 innings and gave up four runs in his 30th start this season, which matches his career high.
PITTSBURGH HISTORY
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Pittsburgh played in the American Association for several seasons before joining the NL in 1887. They won their first game on April 30, 1887.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Pirates: Polanco said his right ankle was fine even though it bent awkwardly as he went into second base Wednesday. His knee didn't fare quite as well.
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Rockies: OF Brandon Barnes could be done for the season after straining his left hamstring Wednesday. ... OF Charlie Blackmon missed a second straight game with neck stiffness.
UP NEXT
Pirates: RHP Gerrit Cole (17-8, 2.64) gets the start Friday when Pittsburgh opens a pivotal three-game series in Chicago against the Cubs. Cole is 3.10 with a 3.10 ERA in eight career starts against Chicago.
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Rockies: RHP David Hale (4-5, 6.32) takes the mound Friday as Colorado begins a three-game series against the Dodgers, who lead the NL West and can lock up the division title this weekend.