Rookie Andrew Benintendi delivered the deciding blow when he smacked a three-run homer to cap a five-run rally for the Red Sox in the bottom of the fifth. Boston went on to beat the Pirates, 5-3, in the season opener at Fenway Park Monday afternoon.
Pirates starter Gerrit Cole pitched well for the first four innings, but he ended up allowing seven hits and five runs over five innings.
The Pirates provided Cole and three relievers little support, leaving 17 runners on base. Starling Marte and Andrew McCutchen went hitless in eight at-bats and stranded a combined eight runners.
Pittsburgh scored three runs in the seventh inning on RBIs by Josh Harrison, Jordy Mercer and Marte, the latter on a sacrifice fly.
The Pirates try again for their first win on Wednesday when Jameson Taillon takes the mound against Boston.
