Jared Jones' slider and Konnor Griffin's return power Pirates past Angels

Jared Jones delivered one of his best outings of the season, striking out nine while allowing three hits and one walk over six scoreless innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Los Angeles Angels 1-0. Jones relied heavily on his slider, generating 19 swings and misses and tying his career high in strikeouts, while escaping a second-inning threat after runners reached the corners. Jake Mangum’s second-inning double drove home rookie Konnor Griffin, who scored from first in his return from the injured list following surgery on his left ring finger. Wilber Dotel and Mason Montgomery completed the four-hit shutout, with Montgomery earning his ninth save. The Pirates have won five of six and remained in the National League wild-card race, while the Angels lost their 10th game in 11 and were shut out for the 12th time.