The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Detroit Tigers 7-4 Monday afternoon. The Bucs pounded 17 hits, including six doubles in the game. Francisco Cervelli and Gregory Polanco each had three hits. Jon Niese won his first game as a Pirate, allowing three earned runs over six innings. He walked one and struck out five. The Pirates chased Tigers starter Justin Verlander in the fifth inning. He allowed seven earned runs and 10 hits.
The Bucs are now 5-2 overall, and a game behind the first-place Chicago Cubs. The Pirates and Tigers play again this afternoon in Detroit. First-pitch is 1:10pm. The teams come to Pittsburgh for two games starting tomorrow night. 