Pirates avoid record loss, beat Cards 6-5

PITTSBURGH -- Thanks to Garrett Jones and a rare failure by the Cardinals' Ryan Franklin, the Pittsburgh Pirates avoided setting one of the most unwanted records in pro sports for a day.

Jones hit a game-ending RBI single to cap a two-run rally in the ninth inning and the Pirates ended a nine-game losing streak, beating St. Louis 6-5 Sunday.

The Pirates won after falling behind 5-4 on Rick Ankiel's pinch-hit homer off Jesse Chavez (1-4) in the top of the ninth. By rallying, they postponed becoming the first team in any of the four major American pro team sports to have 17 consecutive losing seasons.

The Pirates set the record Monday with a 4-3 loss to the Houston Astros.

Franklin (2-2) gave up singles to Jason Jaramillo, Andrew McCutchen and pinch-hitter Ryan Doumit in a span of four batters, although Jaramillo was forced at second on a failed sacrifice.

The left-handed Miller came in to face the lefty-hitting Jones with runners on first and second and one out, and the rookie hit a line drive between left fielder Ankiel and center fielder Colby Rasmus for the Pirates' first victory since beating the Phillies 3-2 on Aug. 27.

-- AP