Bell's pinch-hit RBI leads Pirates past White Sox, 3-2

[May 17, 2018]  Josh Bell hit a pinch-hit, go-ahead single in the seventh inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates held on for a 3-2 win over the visiting Chicago White Sox on Wednesday afternoon at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh swept the four-game season series with a pair of victories in each team's ballpark. The Pirates have won seven of their past eight games and boast a 14-6 record at home.

The White Sox have lost nine of 10 games. At 10-29, they own the worst record in baseball.

Sean Rodriguez drove in a pair of runs for the Pirates, who won despite tallying only four hits.

Leury Garcia and Yolmer Sanchez each hit a solo home run for Chicago.

Edgar Santana (1-0) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to earn his first career win in 37 games. Santana relieved starter Jameson Taillon, who limited the White Sox to two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Joakim Soria (0-2) took the loss after surrendering Bell's go-ahead hit. His performance spoiled a solid start by Hector Santiago, who allowed two runs on two hits in five innings.

Felipe Vazquez pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record his eighth save.

Chicago opened the scoring on a solo shot by Garcia in the second inning. The blast to right-center field marked Garcia's second homer of the season and only the 13th of his six-year career.

White Sox starting pitcher Hector Santiago (53) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh quickly answered to grab a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second. After Corey Dickerson and Elias Diaz reached base, Rodriguez slammed a two-run double to deep left field.

In the fifth, the White Sox tied the score at 2. Sanchez pulled a pitch over the right field wall for his second homer. He has hit safely in 11 of his past 12 contests.

Pittsburgh pulled ahead 3-2 in the seventh. Diaz hit a leadoff double and came around to score on Bell's single to left field three batters later.

White Sox manager Rick Renteria held shortstop Tim Anderson out of the starting lineup for the first time this season. Chicago is in a stretch of playing 16 consecutive games between off days.

--Field Level Media

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