PITTSBURGH - The Pirates returned to their core approach -- putting runners on base and getting extra-base hits -- en route to an 8-7 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim this afternoon at PNC Park. The win was their second in the last eight games, and snapped a four-game losing streak.
Each Pirates position player reached base at least once. Starling Marte and Jung-ho Kang led the way, going a combined 4-for-7 with three extra base hits, a single, two walks, and a hit-by-pitch. Kang homered into the visiting bullpen in the second inning, and in the seventh inning, both Gregory Polanco and pinch hitter Matt Joyce hit home runs to help the Pirates push their lead to 8-3.