SAN FRANCISCO -- Before Sunday's series finale at AT&T Park, manager Clint Hurdle said the Pirates would have to string together hits to beat Giants starter Dereck Rodriguez. Big swings wouldn't accomplish much.
The Pirates followed the game plan in the second inning, scoring the game's first run on a pair of doubles by Josh Bell and Elias Diaz, but Rodriguez didn't let the Bucs start another rally. The rookie right-hander allowed only one walk after the second inning, shutting down a hot Pittsburgh lineup and dealing the Pirates a 4-3 defeat.