PITTSBURGH -- Clint Hurdle did his best to ignore the doubters when the Pittsburgh Pirates took a $5 million flier on Edinson Volquez. "Thats why they call it noise," Hurdle said. Funny, its quiet now. The resurgent right-hander continued his career resurrection on Tuesday night, limiting the Detroit Tigers for six effective innings in a 4-2 victory. Volquez (10-7) allowed two runs on five hits, striking out five against two walks. His best play, however, wasnt a pitch but a slick behind-the-back grab of a chopper by Victor Martinez in the first inning that kept the Tigers from extending an early 1-0 lead. "The ball got me," Volquez said. "I got lucky on that one." Maybe, but Volquez isnt ruling out karma either. There were times over the last five years when that ball would find its way to centerfield and Volquez would crumble. Not this time. The former All-Star turned reclamation project has been one of the few constants in a pitching rotation thats seen top end starters Francisco Liriano and Gerrit Cole spend significant time on the disabled list. "Hes been fun to watch," Hurdle said. "From the time we got him he showed up wanting to get better and wanting to learn." Travis Snider went 2 for 4 with an RBI for the Pirates. Gaby Sanchez and Ike Davis added RBI doubles and Jordy Mercer chipped in a run-scoring single. Mark Melancon worked out of a two-on, one-out jam for his 22nd save as Pittsburgh improved to 5-3 without star centerfielder Andrew McCutchen, who is on the disabled list with a rib injury. Alex Avila hit his ninth homer of the season for Detroit. Robbie Ray (1-2) gave up four runs in five-plus innings while making a spot start for the weary Tigers. Detroit has lost six of seven as it battles surging Kansas City for the lead in the AL Central. "Weve got to make our own opportunities," Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said. "Weve got to take advantage of those opportunities and were not doing that." Detroits best chance came in the first. Ian Kinsler drove home Ezequiel Carrera with an RBI-single in the first and Miguel Cabrera followed with a single to put runners at the corners. Martinez smashed a grounder up the middle that Volquez somehow grabbed with his glove while reaching behind his back. Kinsler was tagged out in a rundown between third and home and the big inning was avoided. It was the only reprieve Volquez needed. Sanchez and Snider delivered consecutive RBI doubles in the second off Roy to put the Pirates in front. Mercer drove home Josh Harrison in the third to make it 3-1. Avila hit a long home run to centre to pull Detroit within one but pinch hitter Ike Davis doubled to the gap in right-centre to score Starling Marte and push the lead to 4-2. TRAINERS ROOM Tigers: Officially placed RHP Anibal Sanchez on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 9 with a right pectoral strain and recalled left-handed reliever Blaine Hardy from Triple-A Toledo. An MRI on Cy Young winner Justin Verlanders sore shoulder on Tuesday revealed no major structural damage, though Ausmus called it "unlikely" that Verlander would make his next scheduled start on Sunday against Seattle. Pirates: The team continues to take a cautious approach with Cole, who has been on the disabled list since July 5 with a right lat injury. The former No. 1 pick will start for Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday. Hurdle said the team would like to see Cole get one more start under his belt without any setbacks before making his return. Pittsburgh second baseman Neil Walkers bad back kept him out of the lineup on Tuesday, though Hurdle said Walker is making significant progress. ON DECK The interleague series between the two clubs moves to Detroit on Wednesday. Rookie Buck Farmer will make his major league debut for the Tigers. The fifth-round pick in the 2013 draft went 10-5 with a 2.60 ERA in 18 starts for Class A West Michigan and went 1-0 in two starts with Double-A Erie. Vance Worley (5-1, 2.30 ERA) will start for Pittsburgh. Worley is 3-0 with a 0.96 ERA in his last four starts. Sacha Kljestan Jersey . Tortorella told The Vancouver Province hell be cheering for Team Sweden to win gold when they take on the defending Olympic champions on Sunday morning. "I hope Sweden wins, cause I dont think Hammer (Dan Hamhuis) is going to play, judging by whats happened. Zack Steffen USA Jersey . Pearce had a career-high four hits and drove in two runs, and Wei-Yin Chen shut down Texas again as the Orioles completed a four-game sweep of the Rangers with a 5-2 victory on Thursday night. http://www.usasoccerauthority.com/bobby-wood-usa-jersey/ . -- Tony Finau won the Stonebrae Classic on Sunday for his first Web. Darlington Nagbe Jersey . 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Davis filled the stat sheet with 34 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three blocks in New Orleans fifth straight loss against the Eastern Conference. Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans added 21 and 19 points, respectively. Tyler Zeller opened the fourth quarter with a reverse layup and Marcus Thornton followed with a four-point possession -- a 3-pointer and technical free throw -- to give the Celtics their first lead since early in the third at 78-76. They led 101-100 with less than a minute to play when rookie Marcus Smart hit the biggest shot of the game. Avery Bradley drove and pulled up for a short jumper, but had his shot turned aside by Davis. Bradley tracked down thee rebound and kicked to Smart, who drained a corner 3 to make it a two- possession game.dddddddddddd Davis was blocked by Crowder at the other end, and Sullinger hit four free throws to seal the outcome. Both teams held narrow leads during a see-saw first half, which ended in a 49-49 draw. It was 22-22 through 12 minutes. The Pelicans shot 50 percent in the third and created some distance. Their lead reached six points on two occasions before taking a 76-72 lead into the fourth. Game Notes Davis shot 14-of-15 from the free throw line ... The Pelicans opened a five- game road trip against Eastern Conference teams... Boston had lost five straight to New Orleans ... Earlier Monday, Boston and New Orleans were involved in a five-player, three-team trade that sent forward Jeff Green to the Grizzlies. The Celtics acquired forward Tayshaun Prince from Memphis and guard Austin Rivers from New Orleans, while the Pelicans added Quincy Pondexter from the Grizzlies and Memphis acquired guard Russ Smith from New Orleans. Draft picks were also exchanged. ' ' '