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.

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

The Pittsburgh Pirates hope to salvage a brief, three-game homestand Sunday when their series wraps up with the Texas Rangers. Having lost six of their last seven games, the National League Central cellar-dwelling Pirates will send Bailey Falter (5-3,