PITTSBURGH -- Fans behind the Pirates' dugout rose to their feet a little earlier than usual in the middle of the seventh inning. They wanted to congratulate the Bucs' starter on a job well done.Edinson Volquez allowed just one hit and struck out seven as the Pirates clinched their sixth straight series at PNC Park with a 7-2 win against the Marlins on Thursday night. The victory lifted the Pirates to eight games above .500 (61-53), matching a season best. 
The outing was Volquez's longest since he threw a one-run complete game against the Cardinals on July 10 -- also the date of his last win. Volquez walked the first Marlins batter he saw, but he faced the minimum through three innings and carried a no-hitter into the fifth.For the second night in a row, it was no problem for a makeshift Pirates lineup. The offense figured out Miami's Brian Flynn -- who was making his first start of the season -- the second time through the order, scoring three in the fourth and two more in the fifth to chase the lefty.Jordy Mercer and Starling Marte both had doubles in the fourth inning, and they scored on singles from Russell Martin and Gregory Polanco, respectively.Polanco's single, which he poked to left field, was good for two RBIs, and the rookie got to show off another tool in the top of the next inning. Polanco made a grab in foul territory near the right-field seats, and then doubled up Jarrod Saltalamacchia at third base on a laser-sharp throw. This came immediately after Donovan Solano broke up Volquez's no-hitter with a grounder through the hole on the left side of the infield.Josh Harrison pushed his hitting streak to a career-best 11 games when he started the fifth frame with a single. He stole second and scored easily on a single by Mercer. Gaby Sanchez got in the RBI column as well with a single that brought Mercer around third.The Pirates have scored in only five innings in their last two games, but have posted a crooked number each time. And in those contests without Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker or Pedro Alvarez, they've combined for 12 runs.Mercer was part of a frightening moment in the seventh inning when he hit a line drive that struck Marlins reliever Dan Jennings in the side of the head. Mercer could only crouch and look on as Jennings was evaluated, and the pitcher gave a wave to the crowd as he was carted off the field.Stephen Pianovich / MLB.com
The outing was Volquez's longest since he threw a one-run complete game against the Cardinals on July 10 -- also the date of his last win. Volquez walked the first Marlins batter he saw, but he faced the minimum through three innings and carried a no-hitter into the fifth.For the second night in a row, it was no problem for a makeshift Pirates lineup. The offense figured out Miami's Brian Flynn -- who was making his first start of the season -- the second time through the order, scoring three in the fourth and two more in the fifth to chase the lefty.Jordy Mercer and Starling Marte both had doubles in the fourth inning, and they scored on singles from Russell Martin and Gregory Polanco, respectively.Polanco's single, which he poked to left field, was good for two RBIs, and the rookie got to show off another tool in the top of the next inning. Polanco made a grab in foul territory near the right-field seats, and then doubled up Jarrod Saltalamacchia at third base on a laser-sharp throw. This came immediately after Donovan Solano broke up Volquez's no-hitter with a grounder through the hole on the left side of the infield.Josh Harrison pushed his hitting streak to a career-best 11 games when he started the fifth frame with a single. He stole second and scored easily on a single by Mercer. Gaby Sanchez got in the RBI column as well with a single that brought Mercer around third.The Pirates have scored in only five innings in their last two games, but have posted a crooked number each time. And in those contests without Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker or Pedro Alvarez, they've combined for 12 runs.Mercer was part of a frightening moment in the seventh inning when he hit a line drive that struck Marlins reliever Dan Jennings in the side of the head. Mercer could only crouch and look on as Jennings was evaluated, and the pitcher gave a wave to the crowd as he was carted off the field.Stephen Pianovich / MLB.com
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