Cole leads Pirates to much-needed victory
ATLANTA – Jung Ho Kang doubled in the tiebreaking run in a four-run sixth inning to lead Gerrit Cole and the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Atlanta Braves 5-3 Tuesday night.
Matt Kemp went 0 for 4 and ended the game with a strikeout in his Atlanta debut.
Cole was coming off the first complete game of his career, a 10-1 win over Seattle last Wednesday. He wasn’t as dominant this time, but didn’t need to be against the major leagues’ worst offense.
Cole (7-6) struck out four and allowed seven hits, two walks and two runs – one earned – in five innings. He threw 97 pitches, four more than he did in his complete game.
Tony Watson, in his first game as Pirates closer since Mark Melancon’s trade to Washington, earned his first save since April 22, 2015.