Pirates 7 – Rockies 2

Jameson Taillon pitched five scoreless innings in his return to the mound from cancer treatments to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-2 win over the NL West leading Colorado Rockies.

Improving to 3-1 on the season, Taillon allowed five hits and no runs in five solid innings. He struck out five and walked two.

Taillon who had surgery May 8, consistently hit 96-97 MPH throughout the outing. He called the night “special” and many in the organization marveled about how Taillon hasn’t missed a beat.

“He went out there and he pitched, man,” manager Clint Hurdle said of Taillon. “It was fun to watch. He had to roll his sleeves up and go to work.”

Josh Harrison homered in the first inning, a 2-run shot for his eighth of the season. Harrison playing again near his 2014 All-Star level, was 2-4 with HR, 2 RBI and is now hitting .311 on the season.

Elias Diaz was 1-4 and is hitting .368 since his callup.

Winners of three straight, the Pirates at 29-35 are treading water and four games out of first place with a bunch of mediocrity in the division and the Cubs having a hangover.

Can they stay within striking distance a month from now?

Starling Marte is eligible to return July 18.