Pittsburgh Pirates get two home runs in win over New York Yankees

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates used the long ball to jump out to a big lead early and hold on for a 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees in interleague play Friday night.

Rookie first baseman Josh Bell hit his second home run of the season -- a two-run shot off Yankees' starter CC Sabathia (2-1) that gave the Pirates (7-9) a 4-0 lead in the second inning. The home run traveled 410 feet into the left-center field notch at PNC Park and was Bell's first from the right side of the plate in the majors.

Bell's round-tripper scored right fielder Jose Osuna, who had reached base with his first major-league hit on a triple to right field. Osuna, 24, had made his major-league debut Tuesday in St. Louis.

Jordy Mercer hit a leadoff home run to the batter's eye in center field to start the scoring. It was Mercer's first home run of the season.

Sabathia lasted five innings, allowing four runs and seven hits, both season highs. He also struck out three and walked two.

The Yankees (10-6) relied on some help from the Pirates' defense. In the third, an error by Osuna allowed Brett Gardner to score on Chase Headley's double. In the fifth, an error by Josh Harrison scored Jacoby Ellsbury and Aaron Judge.

All of the runs came off Pirates starter Tyler Glasnow, though just one was earned. Glasnow was removed after 4 2/3 innings but dropped his season ERA from 12.15 to 7.94. Juan Nicasio (1-2) picked up the win in relief. Tony Watson pitched the ninth for his fifth save of the season.

The Yankees' defense gave two runs back with two outs in the seventh, when second baseman Starlin Castro dropped a popup off the bat of Andrew McCutchen that scored Mercer from second. Two batters later, David Freese singled home McCutchen.

NOTES: Pirates RF Jose Osuna made his first career start. In the three games since outfielder Starling Marte received an 80-game suspension from Major League Baseball, the Pirates have started three different right fielders: Adam Frazier, John Jaso and Osuna. Manager Clint Hurdle said to expect a rotation to continue unless one player takes hold of the job. ... Yankees INF Didi Gregorious (shoulder) made his first rehab appearance, going 2-for-3 in six innings with Single-A Tampa. Gregorious was injured during the World Baseball Classic. ... Yankees LHP CC Sabathia went 0-for-2 at the plate. He's now on an 0-for-23 streak since June 15, 2010, but has maintained a career .214 batting average.