Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

After seeing their opponents, the Pittsburgh Pirates, hit fly ball home runs for the first two games, the San Francisco Giants thought enough was enough and they needed to join in.

Well, Gorkys Hernandez did just that, as he hit a solo home run to lead off the top of the sixth inning, where the Giants scored all their runs on their way to stopping their six-game losing streak thru the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania after defeating the Pirates 5-0 at PNC Park.

Brandon Belt and Pablo Sandoval each singled, Brandon Crawford doubled and then Nick Hundley greeted reliever Richard Rodriguez by taking his first pitch out of the park for a 5-0 lead.

After the Sandoval single, Crawford hit a double that scored Belt to increase the Giants lead to 2-0, and ended Pirates starter Ivan Nova’s day

The single by Sandoval was one that haunted Nova in the end, as he knew he was able to field it for the possible third out; however, he was unable to handle and then Hundley launched his three-run home run.

Derek Holland pitched 6.1 innings, scattering four hits, walking five and striking out seven, as he won for the second time this season.

Holland was helped out by the fact that the Pirates went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position on the afternoon, including 0-for-8 against Holland.

The trio of Reyes Moronta, Will Smith and Hunter Strickland ended the seven-hit shutout, as the Giants picked up their fourth shutout of the season, while the Pirates were shutout for the third time this season.

Nova went 5.2 innings, allowing four runs and eight hits, and Is 0-2 in five starts since defeating the Miami Marlins on April 15.

Andrew McCutchen went 1-for-4 with a walk, and the weekend by going 4-for-14 with three doubles in his first weekend playing in the city where he played for the first 13 seasons of his career. McCutchen extended his hitting streak up to 12 games, and 16-for-43 during the streak.

NOTES: Chris Stratton opens up the seven-game home stand on Monday night, as he takes the mound against the Cincinnati Reds. Stratton, who is 3-3 on the season and in his three losses, the Giants have been outscored by their opponents, 35-9.

Madison Bumgarner will throw a bullpen session on Monday at AT&T Park, and could begin his rehab assignment within days. If the rehab goes well, Bumgarner could be activated from the 60-day disabled list on May 25, the day he is eligible to come off of it.

UP NEXT: The Giants will return home to host the Cincinnati Reds for a three-game series. Game 1 is scheduled for Monday night at 7:15 pm PT.