Pirates’ Cole makes history

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Gerrit Cole overcame a rocky start to become the first Pirates pitcher to win his first four career starts in more than a century and Starling Marte missed the cycle a few feet short of a home run in Pittsburgh’s 10-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night.

Cole (4-0) gave up three runs in the first inning but no more as he made it through six innings, allowing eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Nick Maddox started 4-0 in his first four starts in 1907.

Johnny Hellweg (0-1) failed to get out of the second inning in his major league debut, giving up seven runs — five earned — in 12/3 innings.

Marte had a double and triple among his three hits, and just missed a homer in the eighth when he flied out to deep center field.

Andrew McCutchen had three hits, including his ninth home run, and three RBIs for Pittsburgh. Pedro Alvarez added two hits and Neil Walker hit a two-run double to start a seven-run second inning in which the Pirates sent 12 batters to the plate.

Alvarez extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

Ryan Reid pitched three scoreless innings for his first career save.