Pirates snap Dodgers’ six-game win streak

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

For a change, the Pittsburgh Pirates got to celebrate Friday night.

Matt Joyce homered and doubled among his three hits and Pittsburgh beat Los Angeles 8-6, ending the Dodgers’ six-game winning streak and giving manager Clint Hurdle his 1,000th career victory.

Hurdle is in his sixth season with the Pirates and also had an eight-year managerial stint with the Colorado Rockies from 2002-09.

“It’s pretty cool,” Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer said. “We all got around (in the clubhouse) and recognized him after the game. It’s pretty special.”

Joyce drove in two runs while filling in for right fielder Gregory Polanco, who sat out with lower leg discomfort. His RBI single in a two-run fifth inning helped push the Pirates’ lead to 7-4 and his eighth homer, a solo shot in the seventh off Chris Hatcher, made it 8-6.

Jung Ho Kang also homered as the Pirates won for just the third time in 16 games. Sean Rodriguez had three RBIs and Starling Marte added two hits.

“It’s nice to get back on track,” Joyce said. “It’s nice to get a win. Everyone knows how our month has gone. It was cool to see some guys smiling out there and having fun. Hopefully we can build upon it. That’s what the good ones do. We just have to find our way and get back to how we win.”

Dodgers rookie shortstop Corey Seager had four hits to extend his hitting streak to eight games. He is 16 for 34 (.471) during the streak and has six extra-base hits in his last six games.

Yasiel Puig homered for Los Angeles.

Neftali Feliz (2-0), the fourth of six Pirates pitchers, retired all five batters he faced, and Mark Melancon pitched a scoreless ninth for his 21st save in 22 opportunities.