DENVER (AP) – Pedro Alvarez hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates earned their 10,000th win since joining the National League, beating the Colorado Rockies 5-4 on Thursday.
A day after clinching a playoff spot for the third straight season, the Pirates reached another momentous milestone. They’re fifth all-time in NL wins behind San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles, according to STATS.
Starling Marte collected four singles and finished 13 for 20 in the four-game sweep. It’s the most hits in a four-game series for a Pirates player since Pie Traynor had 13 in 1928.
Alvarez had the big hit when he lined a fastball from Jairo Diaz (0-1) over the fence in right field.
Reliever Joe Blanton (5-0) earned the win for a second straight game. Mark Melancon pitched a perfect ninth to pick up save No. 50. He becomes the seventh NL closer to reach that total in a season.