Cole ended the longest winless drought of his career

Gerrit Cole snapped http://www.nflbillsofficialshop.com/WOMENS_YOUTH_KRAIG_URBIK_JERSEY.html the longest winless drought of his career, Pedro Alvarez homered and the Pirates held on to beat the Miami Marlins 2-1. Pirates ace Gerrit Cole was brilliant in his start against the Marlins on Thursday. The right-hander allowed one run on five hits over 7 1/3 solid innings. He struck out four and did not walk a batter. Cole's strong start earned him a victory, as the Pirates held on for the 2-1 win. The only run Cole allowed came on a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning. Cole improved to 15-7 and lowered his ERA to 2.44 with the dominant effort. After giving up three runs or more in three straight starts, Cole has allowed a total of two runs over his last two starts. Overall, in six August starts, Cole went 1-3 with a 3.14 ERA. This was a much-needed http://www.nflvikingsofficial.com/Authentic-Matt-Kalil-Jersey dominant outing for Cole, who came into the game with a 4.70 ERA over his previous four starts. Catcher Francisco Cervelli tripled and scored in the second inning for the Pirates, who took three out of four in the series. Alvarez made it 2-0 in the fourth on his 21st homer - the 18th of the solo variety. The big hits from Alvarez and Cervelli both went to deep center field, the triple by Cervelli skipping off the glove of Marlins center fielder Marcell Ozuna. ''(Alvarez) has as much raw power as anybody in the game, except for maybe the guy over there,'' Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said, with the 'guy over there' reference being a nod to Giancarlo Stanton, Miami's sidelined slugger. The Marlins could have used Stanton. It was the 32nd time this season they were held to one run or less, and Cole kept them guessing most of the game. Cole (15-7) allowed one run and five hits in 7 1-3 innings, striking out four and walking none. Cole hadn't gotten the win in any of his previous five starts, and the Pirates are 45-22 all-time when he takes the mound. ''Pretty special arm,'' Marlins manager Dan Jennings said. ''You know you're in for a battle any time he's the opposing pitcher. His stuff is quality and he's one of the better guys in the National League, no doubt.'' Justin Nicolino (2-2) gave up two runs and six hits in six innings for the Marlins Alan Ball Youth Jersey, who got two hits apiece from Ozuna and Martin Prado. The homer served up to Alvarez was a cutter that stayed in the heart of the plate, Nicolino said. ''You can't leave pitches like that up to him,'' Nicolino said. ''He did what he was supposed to do with it.'' Said Alvarez: ''You never know here. It's such a big park.'' The Marlins got within 2-1 in the seventh when Derek Dietrich's sacrifice fly allowed Prado to score. Miami got what would have been the tying run to second with one out in the eighth, but left-hander Tony Watson relieved Cole and retired Dee Gordon and Ichiro Suzuki to strand J.T. Realmuto and keep the Pirates on top. Mark Melancon gave up a leadoff single to Prado in the ninth, then got Justin Bour to hit into a double play and retired Ozuna on a grounder to finish off his 41st save in 43 chances. The Pirates have backed Cole with just 13 runs in his seven starts since the All-Star break. Cole left with a lead Saturday after holding San Francisco to three hits and an unearned run over seven innings, but the bullpen gave it up before Pittsburgh walked off with a 3-2 win. Cole allowed Brad Jones Kids Jersey homers to Justin Bour and Christian Yelich and five other hits while lasting seven in a 5-2 win over the Marlins (51-76) on May 27. Yelich is 3 for 8 with a pair of homers off Cole.