MIAMI — Last week, Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez suggested that Mike Stanton wear his gray pants for home games to turn around the rookie slugger's misfortunes at Sun Life Stadium.

Stanton wasn't entirely against the idea — he went into Thursday night's game hitting just .161 at home, but .320 on the road.

Stanton gave his fans something to cheer about as he homered and drove in five runs and the Marlins held on for an 11-9 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pedro Alvarez, one of the Pirates' top rookies, hit a three-run homer off Jose Veras in the ninth to pull the Pirates within 11-9. Leo Nunez came in and struck out the final two batters to record his 30th save in 38 opportunities.

Alvarez went 4 for 5 with five RBI.

"I've been trying to make adjustments, learn as much as I can this whole year, and finish off on a strong foot," Alvarez said.

Wes Helms drove in two runs in the Marlins' four-run first inning.

Stanton had an RBI single in the first, a three-run homer off Zach Duke (8-15) to deep center field in the fourth, and another RBI single in the sixth.

Duke allowed nine runs — four earned — and eight hits in four innings.

"Just erratic command, honestly, that's all it was," Duke said.