UNC in MLB: Colin Moran hits game-winning home run to beat White Sox

The Pittsburgh Pirates used a go-ahead home run from Colin Moran to beat the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday

Colin Moran is really starting to make a name for himself in Pittsburgh.

The former University of North Carolina Tar Heels standout seems to have found a permanent home with the Pirates after being traded from Houston in the Gerrit Cole trade over the offseason.  Moran started off hot with the Pirates and has continued to play well through the first month of the season.

On Wednesday, Moran provided one of the biggest hits in his short Pirates career.

With the Pirates trailing 5-4 in the top of the ninth inning in Chicago, Moran hit a two-run home run off of Nate Jones to give Pittsburgh a 6-5 lead. The home run ended up being the game-winner as Pittsburgh moved to 21-16 on the season and just a half game back of the lead in the very competitive NL Central.

With the home run, Moran became the first Pirates rookie to hit a go-ahead home run in the ninth or later since 2010. Prior to this season, Moran played in just 16 games for both the Miami Marlins and Houston Astros.

He was drafted by Miami in the first round of the 2013 MLB Draft and then traded to Houston in 2014. He couldn’t find a spot in Houston with the Astros’ loaded infield, so he was moved to Pittsburgh in that Cole trade.

Through 33 games, Moran is slashing .283/.369/.434 with an OPS of .803. He has three home runs and 19 RBI’s to go along with 13 walks.

The Pirates were expected to finish near the bottom of the NL Central after trading away both Cole and outfielder Andrew McCutchen. But through the first month or so of the season, they have been a surprise team in the National League.

Next: Matt Harvey traded to Cincinnati

Moran has already started to prove his worth to the franchise and could find himself being a staple in the Pirates lineup for years.