The Pirates built an early lead and Gerrit Cole went 7.2 strong innings in a 4-1 win over the Diamondbacks. The victory was the Pirates' third in a row, opening a nine-game road trip on a positive note.
Cole, who was touching as high as 96 miles per hour in the eighth inning, had seven strikeouts versus just two walks, allowing one run on seven hits.
Neil Walker's single drove in Gregory Polanco in the first inning, Josh Harrison's double plated Jordy Mercer and Cole in the second and the Pirates led 3-0 by the time local TV switched over from the Penguins game.