If April showers bring May flowers, the Pirates should see something special bloom this month.
On a rainy Saturday night at PNC Park, John Jaso jumped on the first pitch Cincinnati Reds right-hander Alfredo Simon threw and rode it out to right-center field for a solo home run. Lefty Francisco Liriano shouldered the load for 6 2/3 strong innings as the Pirates captured a 5-1 win.
In extending their winning streak to a season-high six games, the Pirates (15-9) also tied a club record for most wins in the month of April. They now have won the past 13 home games started by Liriano, their opening-day starter the past three years, a streak dating back to June 15, 2015.