Pirates take 2 in series with SF Giants

PITTSBURGH, Pa -- Gerrit Cole won for the first time in nearly a month, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat San Francisco 4-3 Wednesday for their second straight win over the Giants.

Cole (3-2) beat Tim Lincecum (2-2) for the second time in his 11-month major league career, allowing three runs and seven hits in eight innings with seven strikeouts and a walk. Cole had been 0-2 in four starts since winning his first two outings.

Fill-in closer Mark Melancon worked a perfect ninth for his second save in three chances. Centerfielder Andrew McCutchen made a diving catch of Brandon Crawford's soft liner to left-center for the second out.

Pittsburgh has won four of six after a 1-7 slide, taking two of three in the series. San Francisco had won 10 of 11 before the Pirates' replay-aided walkoff win Tuesday.

Ike Davis had three hits for the Pirates. Brandon Belt hit his ninth home run and drove in all three runs for San Francisco.

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5/7/2014 12:48:25 PM (GMT -7:00)