ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Pedro Alvarezs first homer in almost three weeks helped the Pittsburgh Pirates improve to .500 for just the second time in more than two months. The slumping 2013 co-NL home run champion backed Edinson Volquezs pitching with a three-run shot, keying an 8-1 victory over the sputtering Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night. "It always helps, obviously, when I can contribute to a team victory," said Alvarez, whos hitting .232 with 12 homers and 38 RBIs. "Ive always said sometimes results arent indicative of how you may feel at the plate, and I feel like Im a good place," the slugger added. "Im just going to continue to work." Andrew McCutchen went 3 for 5, drove in two runs and stole two bases for the Pirates in a homecoming of sorts for last years NL MVP, who grew up in nearby Fort Meade and had never played before at Tropicana Field. He also scored twice in Pittsburghs first appearance in St. Petersburg since 2003. Alvarez, who hadnt homered since June 3, went deep off Alex Cobb (2-6) during a four-run fourth inning that also featured the first of McCutchens two RBI singles. The first-pitch, 419-foot drive over the wall in centre field snapped a season-high 16-game stretch without a homer -- Alvarezs longest since a 22-game drought that began in September 2012 and extended into last season. "A lot of times people have been taking their chances with Pedro, and hes an important part of our offence," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "We need him to fire, we need him to drive in runs and that was very good to see. Three-run homers always play well." Volquez (5-6) allowed five hits in a season-high eight innings. James Loney drove in Tampa Bays only run with a two-out, first-inning single, and the Pirates supported their starting pitcher by turning three double plays. "I got a lot of help," Volquez said. The Pirates climbed to .500 (38-38) for just the second time since April 17, when they were 8-8. They have won four of five following a three-game skid and are a NL-best 26-18 since May 6. Tampa Bay has dropped 19 of its past 27 and is saddled with the worst record in the major leagues at 31-47. "I feel like with every loss its an opportunity missed," Cobb said, adding if the Rays are going to turn their season around theyve got to get on a roll soon. McCutchen, who is batting .366 in June, boosted his average in 11 interleague games to .425 with nine walks, four doubles and seven RBIs. His run-scoring single off Cobb moved him ahead of Brian Giles for the Pirates career record for RBIs in interleague action with 52. He added another in the ninth off Kirby Yates. Alvarez, meanwhile, is hitting .317 with two home runs and eight RBIs against AL teams this season. Cobb, making his seventh start since spending five weeks on the disabled list with a left oblique strain, allowed six runs and six hits in five innings. Volquez won for the third time in his last five starts. The right-hander walked two, struck out one and didnt allow a hit after the fourth inning. Three of Tampa Bays six hits were infield singles, including Kevin Kiermaiers second-inning bunt. Jeanmar Gomez pitched the ninth for the Pirates, yielding a two-out single to Loney. NOTES: Pirates OF Starling Marte was back in the lineup after missing two games tending to a personal matter at home in the Dominican Republic. ... Pittsburgh RHP Gerrit Cole (right shoulder fatigue) threw 83 pitches over six innings in a simulated game and could rejoin the rotation this weekend. ... Pirates 2B Neil Walker (appendectomy) is expected to be reinstated from the DL Tuesday. ... The Rays havent announced if RHP Jeremy Hellickson (elbow) will need one more minor league start before returning. .. Tampa Bay 1B-OF Jerry Sands has a wrist injury, which Rays manager Joe Maddon said could require surgery. Seattle Mariners Gear .Mila Kunis was a guest on Kimmel last night and revealed a surprising side of herself that comes out when she watches sports. It turns out screaming something vulgar at professional athletes is therapeutic for Kunis. Mariners Jerseys China .com) - Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer were among the third-round winners Friday at the French Open. https://www.cheapmariners.com/. Tensions rose in the first period when Penguins defenceman Brooks Orpik hit Bruins forward Loui Eriksson with what appeared to be a clean hit. Cheap Mariners Jerseys . - Titans quarterback Jake Locker will miss the rest of the season with a Lisfranc injury to his right foot, leaving Tennessee trying to rally with Ryan Fitzpatrick. Seattle Mariners Pro Shop . a€“ All signs point to the Maple Leafs having their top offseason acquisition in the lineup on opening night.Both quarterbacks struggled to move the chains, but big defensive and special team plays helped to lift the Arizona Cardinals to a 33-21 win over the San Francisco 49ers. An interception and a fumble recovery either side of half-time turned the game for the Cardinals while David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald scored two touchdowns each. In 140 Characters...After a slow start, Arizona come to life in the second half. Johnson and Fitzgerald score two each, but poor quarterback play dominates. Fan predictions: Graves v the Vikings This week, Richard makes his picks against the Minnesota Vikings UK fan base! MVPDavid Johnson produced the best rushing performance so far this year, going for 157 yards and two touchdowns. He was predicted a big night and he certainly delivered. The 49ers defence struggled to stop David Johnson who caused them problems all night Game-changerBruce Arians half-time team talk. The Cardinals were a different team in the second half, scoring two touchdowns on their first two drives of the third quarter. Stat of the night17 - The 49ers gave away 17 points from three turnovers. The two interceptions and fumble came in a crucial ten minutes around half-time and changed the complexion of the game. Scoring Summary 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter ARI 0-7 SF TD - J. Kerley 9 yd pass - B. Gabbert Extra point - P. Dawson ARI 7-7 SF TD - L. Fitzgerald 21 yd pass - D. Stanton Extra point - C. Catanzaro 3rd Quarter ARI 14-7 SF TD - D. Johnson 4 yd run Extra point - C. Catanzaro ARI 21-7 SF TD - L. Fitzgerald 29 yd pass - D. Stanton Extra point - C. Catanzaro ARI 21-14 SF TD - C. Hyde 1 yd run Extra point - P. Dawson 4th Quarter ARI 24-14 SF FG - C.dddddddddddd Catanzaro 36 yd ARI 31-14 SF TD - D. Johnson 2 yd run Extra point - C. Catanzaro ARI 31-21 SF TD - B. Gabbert 1 yd run Extra point - P. Dawson ARI 33-21 SF Safety - C. Campbell The gameIt was tough going through the first quarter, both Blaine Gabbert and Drew Stanton, starting in place of the injured Carson Palmer, struggling to find open receivers. The defences did a good job in the secondary, and most progress came from running backs David Johnson and Carlos Hyde.The first points came with four minutes to go in the second quarter as Gabbert led an 87-yard drive downfield, finding wide receiver Jeremy Kerley, who finished the score, catching a nine-yard reception in space to give San Francisco a 7-0 lead. Jeremy Kerley scored the opening touchdown for the 49ers in the second quarter The 49ers looked in control until the last minute of play when Gabberts pass was tipped and intercepted by linebacker Calais Campbell. The ball was turned over and, on the first play of the drive, Stanton threw 21 yards to a wide-open Larry Fitzgerald, who jogged into the end zone to level the score.Immediately, a catalogue of errors from San Francsico gifted the Cardinals a 14-7 lead at the beginning of the third quarter. On the kick-off return, Chris Davis fumbled the ball which was recovered by Arizona tight end Ifeanyi Momah in the red zone.After failing to move the chains, Chandler Catanzaro kicked the field goal but was hit late by Rashard Robinson and the Cardinals were given a first down at the four-yard line. Johnson made no mistake with the chance, evading tackles to cross the line. The Cardinals soon regained possession, and took advantage of San Franciscos slow start. In six plays, Stanton moved the offence 71 yards, finishing with a 29-yard end zone pass to Fitzgerald for his second score of the night. Larry Fitzgerald also had two scores, taking his career total against San Francisco to 16 The 49ers fought back, a 29-yard Gabbert run setting up Hyde for a one-yard touchdown, but Arizona put the game beyond their division rivals as Catanzaro scored a field goal before Johnson scored his second touchdown to extend the lead to 31-14.Gabbert ran in for a late touchdown to reduce the deficit to 10 points, but the damage was done, and another disappointing throwing game was compounded when the quarterback was sacked in the end zone to give Campbell and the Cardinals a safety.There were calls from the crowd to see Colin Kaepernick, and its not difficult to see why. Though Gabbert scrambled for a lot of yards, his two interceptions led to Arizona scores. The 49ers are now 1-4 and up against LeSean McCoy and the Buffalo Bills next week.As for the Cardinals, the second half showed marked improvement and Arians will look forward to having Carson Palmer back under centre. Arizona move to 2-3 and will hope to kick on from here. Also See: NFL week four highlights Brady back with Patriots Week five: what to watch Women in the NFL ' ' '