Cruz, in a 4-for-37 slump, used his speed to spark the Pirates. He was off and running for his 27th stolen base on a grounder by Andrew McCutchen. Cruz didn’t get the steal but he prevented a double play and later scored the go-ahead run.

Losers of three straight series and seven of their last nine games, the Pittsburgh Pirates sought to avoid a sweep by the Texas Rangers on Sunday afternoon at PNC Park. Bailey Falter took the hill looking to help facilitate that result in the sweltering,

The Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates play the second game of their 3-game series Saturday at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.