Cole, Kang lead Pirates past Cubs to avoid sweep

Pirates 2 – Cubs 1

Gerrit Cole (4-3, 3.05) threw 8 shutout innings and Jung Ho Kang (.292-4HR-8RBI) drove in both Pirate (19-17) runs in a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs (27-9) on Sunday afternoon.

Jon Lester (4-2, 1.88 ERA) had a no-hitter going through six innings until Starling Marte singled with one out in the seventh inning and then Kang drove a ball deep to right center scoring Marte to put Gerrit Cole and the Pirates ahead. Kang added a solo home run in the eighth to push the Pirates lead to 2-0.

In a dominant start, Cole allowed three hits in eight shutout innings, striking out 7 and walking none. Mark Melancon (3.00, 11 SV) allowed a run in the ninth, but picked up his 11th save in 12 chances.