PITTSBURGH, June 16 (UPI) -- Daryle Ward's three-run homer capped a five-run fifth inning Wednesday night as Pittsburgh snapped a nine-game skid with 5-3 win over Anaheim.
Jack Wilson kept the fifth inning alive by sliding around the tag of first baseman Darin Erstad for an infield single.
Pittsburgh also snapped a seven-game losing streak against the American League.
The Angels put runners on second and third with one out in the ninth, but Jose Mesa struck out Chone Figgins and Adam Kennedy for his 15th save in as many chances.
After allowing just two hits through the first four innings, Angels starter John Lackey (4-8) fell apart in the fifth as the Pirates erased a 2-0 deficit.
Pinch-hitter Abraham Nunez, batting for Josh Fogg, got Pittsburgh on the board with an RBI single before the Pirates tied it on Jason Kendall's run-scoring groundout.
Wilson beat out a slow grounder to third, setting the stage for Ward, who drilled the next pitch over the wall in center.
