ARLINGTON, Texas -- Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle had no special message for his team and there was no big celebration after what was a special victory for their long-suffering fans. With their 1-0 victory at Texas on Monday night, the Pirates clinched their first winning season since 1992. But victory No. 82 was really just another step toward their goal of getting into the playoffs. "Its going to touch a lot of people on a lot of different levels. We are aware of it," Hurdle said. "Everybodys here for a reason, and thats to knock down things we havent done in a long time." Before rookie right-hander Gerrit Cole (7-7) threw seven scoreless innings with a career-high nine strikeouts to win a pitchers duel against Yu Darvish, the Pirates hadnt had a winning season in more than two decades -- since the last of their three consecutive NL championship series appearances under manager Jim Leyland. Their last post-season before that was the 1979 World Series championship team. "We dont really understand what the fans have been through. I know it definitely puts a smile on their face when they see that No. 82 up there," Cole said. "Were extremely happy to be able to make them feel like weve got a winning team out there. But weve got a few weeks ahead and those are going to be some real big games." Pittsburgh had lost a season-high four games in a row since getting their 81st victory last Tuesday at Milwaukee. The Pirates (82-61) didnt get a runner to second base against Darvish (12-8) until Marlon Byrds two-out double in the seventh. He came home when Pedro Alvarez, mired in a 5-for-41 slump over 12 games, followed with a double. They finally have their winning season after taking the opener of a three-game interleague series between wild-card leaders. "Its a huge deal for me. It certainly thrills me to be a part of that," said Pirates hitting coach Jay Bell, the shortstop on that 1992 team. "I understand the significance of this game, the 82nd win, more than probably at least most of the players here," said second baseman Neil Walker, the teams first-round pick in 2004. "As big as this win is for the city of Pittsburgh and the organization, and as big a deal as the media is going to make out of it, we still have a lot of baseball to play. Weve got a lot of games we need to win, were in a tight race." The Pirates moved within a game of NL Central-leading St. Louis, which swept Pittsburgh in three games over the weekend. Texas lost for the fourth time in five games, and still needs one more win to clinch its fifth consecutive winning season. The Rangers dropped two games behind idle AL West-leading Oakland. Darvish is 0-3 his last five starts, all Rangers losses. The Japanese right-hander struck out six while allowing one run and four hits over seven innings. He threw a season-low 81 pitches before coming out because of cramping in his right leg. Manager Ron Washington said the move was precautionary. "We needed him to step up and he stepped up tonight, he really threw the ball well, he moved the ball around well, he kept it down in the zone, he did a good job," Washington said. "Hes in great shape. Its just something that flared up. If thats all thats wrong with him, and the way he pitched out there tonight, Ill take it." Cole got out of a self-induced jam in the sixth after consecutive walks to Elvis Andrus and Alex Rios, his only walks in the game. Andrus got his 38th career stolen base -- the Rangers pulled off a double steal when Rios reached before Adrian Beltre grounded out. "The sixth inning could have gotten out of hand," Cole said. "I was just able to get the ball down on them." Tony Watson pitched a perfect eighth, his 14th consecutive scoreless outing. Mark Melancon worked the ninth for his 12th save in 14th chances to close out Pittsburghs 16th shutout of the season. The Rangers said Darvish started feeling the cramps during the seventh. There was a short delay after the Rangers took the field in the eighth before Tanner Scheppers came out of the bullpen. "Its minor," Washington said. "No level of concern." NOTES: It was the 14th 1-0 game ever at Rangers Ballpark, which is in its 20th season. It was the second this season, both Rangers losses. ... Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen had a leadoff triple in the ninth. He was thrown out trying to score on Justin Morneaus chopper to second baseman Ian Kinsler. ... Rangers LF Jim Adduci left the game after his at-bat in the fifth inning, when he sustained a right biceps strain while striking out. ... Darvish upped his major league-leading strikeout total to 246. ... Beltre was 1 for 22 over six games before his two-out single in the ninth. . PETERSBURG, Fla. [url=http://www.francesoccerjerseystore.com/World-Cup-Antoine-Griezmann-France-J... Griezmann France Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. . The Clippers were angry about blowing a big lead; the Kings didnt like being in that kind of hole and nearly digging themselves out only to lose. [url=http://www.francesoccerjerseystore.com/World-Cup-Bacary-Sagna-France-Jersey... Sagna Jersey . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style.SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- James Harden spent the fourth quarter smiling on the Houston Rockets bench. DeMarcus Cousins finished the final period in the Sacramento Kings locker room. Their performances were just as different on the floor, too. Harden scored a season-high 43 points in three quarters, and the Rockets routed the Kings 129-103 on Tuesday night after Cousins was ejected for vehemently arguing with an official. "These are the type of wins that we need, especially late in the season, to lock down and focus," Harden said. Harden helped Houston go ahead by 25 points in the first quarter, 31 in the second and 33 in the third. He shot 11 of 20 from the floor, made 15 of 16 free throws and added eight assists, three steals and two rebounds. Dwight Howard left briefly after banging his right knee but returned to finish with 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Chandler Parsons had 10 points and eight rebounds for the Rockets, who have won 10 of their last 11 games. "You get a big lead early youre always a little concerned about keeping everybodys interests. They did a nice job," Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. Cousins had 16 points and six rebounds for the Kings before needing to be restrained after getting ejected in the third quarter. He picked up his NBA-leading 14th and 15th technical fouls. "He lost his composure, thats all I saw, and then he got thrown out of the game. Its disappointing. But to be honest, Im more disappointed about how we played," Kings coach Michael Malone said. "Do I condone his actions? No, not at all. Does he have to handle himself better? Sure he does. We just need to get him to understand that we dont need him to get kicked out of the ball game." Cousins did not speak with reporters but wrote on Twitter: "Disappointed with the way I acted out on the court tonight. I want to apologize and say sorry to my team and the fans for letting them down." Rudy Gay added 25 points and six assists, and Ben McLemore scored 15 points for a Sacramento team that looked nothing like the one that beat the Rockets twice previously this season. The teams split four games. The Rockets outshot Sacramento 56.9 per cent to 40 per cent. It was the most points the Kings had allowed alll season, surpassing a 125-117 loss at Denver on Jan.dddddddddddd 26. Sacramento was trying to win three consecutive games for only the second time all season. Instead, Harden and the Rockets turned the game into a layup line. Harden had 22 points and four assists in the first quarter to help Houston go ahead 42-17. The only downer during the run came when Howard and Cousins banged knees. Howard limped to the locker room and returned with black leggings underneath his shorts midway through the second quarter. "It still hurts. Ill just try to do whatever I can to prevent my knee from getting too stiff to where I cant play," said Howard, who hopes to start again Wednesday night at the Los Angeles Clippers. Even while Howard and Harden sat out, the Kings never halted Houstons quick-strike offence. Jeremy Lins uncontested layup gave the Rockets a 50-19 lead with 9:49 remaining before the half. Malone called timeout, and fans showered the home team with boos. Sacramento sliced Houstons lead to 69-51 at the half before Cousins completely lost his composure when the Rockets roared back in the third quarter. Officials called Cousins for a technical after he was whistled for a foul against Howard and shouted at them. Cousins picked up his fifth personal foul moments later, then got called for another technical foul -- earning an automatic ejection -- after screaming in the face of official Courtney Kirkland during a timeout. Cousins had to be held back by coaches and teammates, pointing his finger and screaming at Kirkland. He flicked his headband into the stands on his way to the locker room. If Cousins gets another technical foul this season, he will be suspended by the NBA for one game. The last two seasons Cousins has needed to have a technical foul rescinded by the league to avoid the automatic suspension that comes when a player reaches 16 technicals. NOTES: Houston hasnt lost a non-overtime game since Jan. 25 at Memphis. ... Kings G Jimmer Fredette was not at the game. The Kings and Fredette are working to complete a buyout of his contract. .... The Rockets have won all 17 games in 2014 when scoring at least 100 points. 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