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Pirates pummel Giants

PITTSBURGH — Starling Marte, Josh Bell and Jose Osuna all hit two-run homers, Max Moroff added a three-run blast and Pittsburgh Pirates beat the San Francisco Giants 11-2 on Friday night in Andrew McCutchen’s return to PNC Park.

McCutchen, a five-time All-Star who played his first nine seasons in Pittsburgh before being traded to the Giants in January, received an extended ovation from the largest crowd to watch a Pirates home game this season when he came to bat in the second inning. The right fielder went 1 for 5 with a double and threw out Pittsburgh’s Colin Moran at home plate to end the sixth.

Steven Brault (3-1) picked up the win in relief after Pittsburgh starter Jameson Taillon left after three innings with a laceration on his right hand. Jordy Mercer went 3 for 3 and scored twice for the Pirates, who have won five of six.

San Francisco rookie Andrew Suarez (1-2) lasted just four innings in his fourth career start, giving up five runs on seven hits, including home runs to Marte in the first and Osuna in the fourth. Austin Jackson’s two-run double in the fourth briefly tied the game at 2, but Suarez struggled in the bottom of the inning as the Giants dropped their fifth straight.

Pittsburgh is off to a solid start in the competitive NL Central despite a roster makeover that included sending McCutchen — the 2013 NL MVP — west in exchange for reliever Kyle Crick, outfield prospect Bryan Reynolds and international bonus slot money.

Marte, McCutchen’s replacement in center, drilled a two-run shot off Suarez in the first. Osuna added a pinch-hit homer to the bleachers in left field in the fifth to put the Pirates up 5-2, and Pittsburgh poured it on from there.

The Giants went 2 for 16 with runners in scoring position.

UP NEXT

Pirates: Chad Kuhl (4-2, 4.12) is 3-1 in his last four starts and tied a career high with eight strikeouts in a victory over Milwaukee last Sunday.

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