Pirates complete sweep of Angels with thrilling come from behind win

Pedro Alvarez (.237 – 19 HR – 51 RBI) homered for the fourth straight game, and Starling Marte (.278 – 6 HR – 22 RBI) capped off a three-run ninth inning with a tying single, and the Pittsburgh Pirates (46-30) added four more runs in the 10th to beat the Los Angeles Angels 10-9 on Sunday and complete their first interleague sweep on the road.

Trailing 6-3 entering the ninth, the Pirates pulled even against Angels closer Ernesto Frieri. The right-hander issued a leadoff walk to Neil Walker (.251 – 5 HR – 21 RBI), then gave up a single to Gaby Sanchez and a one-out grounder by pinch-hitter Andrew McCutchen (.289 – 8 HR – 38 RBI) that scored Walker. Next came a pinch-hit RBI double by Russell Martin (.257 – 7 HR – 27 RBI) over the head of rookie left fielder J.B. Shuck, followed by Marte’s clutch hit.

In the 10th, Travis Snider (.238 – 3 HR – 22 RBI) hit a three-run single to break the game wide open, giving the Pirates a 9-6 lead. Russell Martin would add an RBI single to push the Pirates lead to 10-6. The Angels added three runs in the 10th off Jason Grilli (1.82 ERA)

With the win, Pittsburgh improved to 46-30 and are 16 games above .500 for the first time since August 16, 2012.

Charlie Morton (1-1, 2.81 ERA) making his third start of the season, allowed 6 runs (3 earned) in 5 2/3 innings. Morton walked 5 and struck out 5. Mark Melancon (2-1, 0.96 ERA) received the win.