Pirates keep Giants from gaining ground

PITTSBURGH — Garrett Jones’ homer in the 14th inning Friday night, his second of the game and fifth in four games, gave Pittsburgh a 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants, ending the Pirates’ four-game losing streak.

The Pirates hadn’t scored since Jones’ two-out homer in the first off Tim Lincecum until the 28-year-old rookie drove Bob Howry’s second pitch of the 14th over the right-field stands. Jones has seven homers in 12 games since being recalled from the minors.

Evan Meek (1-0) pitched the 14th for his first major league victory in 38 appearances and only the fourth victory by Pittsburgh in 15 games. Howry (0-5), who had pitched a scoreless 13th, lost it as the Giants fell to 18-25 on the road and stayed 6 1/2 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West.