PITTSBURGH 3 – GIANTS 1
*Clint Barmes (.224 – 4 HR – 19 RBI) delivered a three-run homer in the seventh inning and that’s all the Pirates offense needed, capturing a 3-1 win over the San Francisco Giants on Friday night. The Pirates have taken the first two games of the season, Barmes is 4-for-10 with two home runs and five RBIs over his last four starts as he continues to platoon with Jordy Mercer at shortstop.
*Charlie Morton (5-3, 3.42 ERA) pitched into the eighth inning, allowing 7 hits and 1 earned run in 7 2/3 innings. Morton got 13 groundball outs.
*Andrew McCutchen (.323 – 17 HR – 73 RBI) and Josh Harrison (.262 – 2 HR – 10 RBI) each had 2 hits. McCutchen having an excellent month has his batting average up to .323.
*The Pirates winners in four of their last five games, continue to maintain a one game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals who also won Friday night. Pittsburgh leads Cincinnati by 3.5 games.
NL CENTRAL RACE
1. Pittsburgh Pirates (76-52)
2. St Louis Cardinals (75-53, 1 GB)
3. Cincinnati Reds (73-56, 3.5 GB).

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