Alvarez powers Pirates to come from behind win

Win: Gerrit Cole (2-0)

Loss: James Russell (0-1)

Save: Jason Grilli (3)

Pedro Alvarez hit a go ahead three-run homer in the seventh inning, powering the Pittsburgh Pirates (6-3) to a 5-4 come from behind win over the Chicago Cubs (3-6) on Thursday afternoon. Alvarez’s three-run shot was his third home run in two games and capped off a five-run seventh inning for the Pirates who improved to 6-3.

The Pirates trailed 4-0 going into the seventh. Travis Snider batting for Clint Barmes hit a two-run pinch hit home run for his second home run in as many games to cut the Cubs lead to 4-2 and Alvarez would deliver the three-run shot, five batters later, to put the Pirates ahead 5-4. Alvarez has five home runs on the season.

• Tony Watson threw a perfect seventh and Mark Melancon threw a 1-2-3 eighth. Jason Grilli pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his third save of the season but not without some drama. The Cubs loaded the bases in the ninth but Grilli retired Emilio Bonifacio on a bases loaded grounder to end the game.
• Gerrit Cole improved to 2-0. He struck out 10 in six innings. Cole allowed five hits (all singles) and three earned runs.
• The Pirates have won their first three series for the 4th time in franchise history and first time since 1992.