PITTSBURGH, July 22 (UPI) -- Jeff Karstens and a pair relievers teamed up on a five-hit shutout Sunday and the Pittsburgh Pirates stayed hot with a 3-0 triumph over Miami.
Karstens (3-2) scattered five hits over seven scoreless innings, yielding two walks while striking out three en route to the victory. The Pirates right-hander allowed only one runner to get as far as third base.
Jared Hughes shut down the Marlins in the eighth and Joel Hanrahan racked up his 28th save as the Pirates completed a three-game sweep of the Marlins and kept pace with National League Central-leading Cincinnati.
They remained a half-game behind the Reds following Cincinnati's victory over Milwaukee Sunday.
Pedro Alvarez cracked a two-run homer and Andrew McCutchen added an RBI single to provide Pittsburgh's offense.
Anibal Sanchez (5-7) fanned eight over seven innings but still absorbed the loss after yielding three runs on seven hits as Miami fell for the fifth straight time.
