Tigers snap skid with win over Pirates

PITTSBURGH

Rick Porcello allowed one hit over eight innings and the Detroit Tigers snapped a five-game losing streak with a 2-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

Porcello (4-2) took a no-hitter into the sixth before giving up Ronny Cedeno’s leadoff double. He struck out three and walked two in his first start in nearly two weeks.

Jose Valverde worked out of a two-on, none-out jam in the ninth to earn his 11th save in 11 opportunities.

Paul Maholm (1-7) gave up two runs in 5 1-3 innings but was again undone by a lack of run support as Pittsburgh failed to get back to the .500 mark.

Porcello’s previous start was wiped out by rain, but he hardly looked rusty. He kept the surging Pirates off balance all afternoon and even added a single during a rare plate appearance.