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Bucs fall on Clemente Night

PITTSBURGH — James McCann went deep twice for the first multi-homer game of his seven-year career as the White Sox drilled Pittsburgh 8-1 Wednesday on a night the Pirates honored Hall of Fame outfielder Roberto Clemente.

Each member of the Pirates and other Puerto Rican-born players across the major leagues wore Clemente’s long-retired No. 21 jersey in tribute to the icon, who died in a plane crash at age 38 on New Year’s Eve 1972 while delivering relief supplies to earthquake victims. A large “21” was mowed into the grass in right field below the 21-foot high Clemente Wall and not far from the Roberto Clemente Bridge that connects PNC Park’s North Shore neighborhood with downtown.

The immaculately tended grass was largely left alone. McCann and the White Sox did their damage elsewhere.

McCann’s fourth home run of the season landed in the grass beyond the center-field wall leading off the third. He took JT Brubaker (1-1) deep again in the sixth, a long two-run shot that landed beyond the tarps that cover the first section of bleachers. McCann’s teammates whooped as he rounded the bases, the first time in 590 career games he’s trotted home twice after knocking it over the fence.

Chicago rookie Dane Dunning (1-0) pitched into the seventh to earn his first career victory. Dunning allowed just three hits in six-plus shutout innings, with one walk and three strikeouts.

Yoan Moncada had two hits for the White Sox, who finished a 10-day road trip 6-3 to help them keep pace in the tightly contested AL Central. Nick Madrigal chipped in a two-run single during a four-run outburst in the fourth against Brubaker that broke things open.

Colin Moran doubled for Pittsburgh’s only extra-base hit as the Pirates failed to put together their second three-game winning streak of the season.

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