CHICAGO — The Pittsburgh Pirates didn't need much offense Thursday night.

With Jared Jones on the mound, two runs were more than enough.

Jones carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning and delivered one of his best outings of the season as the Pirates shut out the Chicago White Sox 2-0 at Rate Field.

Oneil Cruz provided all the offense Pittsburgh needed, collecting three hits, including a solo home run, as the Pirates completed a three-game sweep of Chicago.

The victory improved Pittsburgh to 74-73 and pushed the Bucs above the .500 mark for the first time since July 29.

Jones Takes a No-Hitter Into the Seventh

From the opening pitch, Jones looked completely in control.

The Pirates right-hander kept Chicago without a hit through the first six innings, mixing overpowering velocity with a sharp slider that kept White Sox hitters off balance throughout the night.

Chicago's best chance to break through early came in the seventh, but Jake Mangum helped keep the no-hit bid alive with a diving catch in right field.

The no-hitter would eventually end later in the inning, but Jones never allowed Chicago to turn that hit into anything more.

He finished his night after seven scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out eight and walking two.

In a season filled with flashes of what Jones can become at the top of a Major League rotation, Thursday may have been one of the clearest examples yet.

Cruz Supplies the Offense

The Pirates didn't exactly light up the scoreboard, but Oneil Cruz made sure Jones had enough support.

Cruz broke the scoreless tie with a solo home run in the fourth inning, giving Pittsburgh a 1-0 advantage.

He later added an RBI single to give the Pirates some breathing room and finished the night 3-for-4 while driving in both Pittsburgh runs.

On a night when runs were difficult to manufacture, Cruz's ability to change the game with one swing proved to be the difference.

Pirates Pitching Slams the Door

Once Jones' night was finished, the Pirates bullpen made sure his dominant performance didn't go to waste.

Luke Weaver worked a scoreless eighth inning before Mason Montgomery took over in the ninth.

Montgomery retired Chicago without allowing the White Sox to mount a comeback, earning his 12th save of the season and finishing off the shutout.

Pittsburgh pitching held Chicago to only two hits in the game.

Sweep Complete

Thursday's victory capped off an impressive trip to Chicago for the Pirates.

Pittsburgh opened the series with a 9-3 victory Tuesday, followed it with a 4-2 win Wednesday and finished the job Thursday with a 2-0 shutout.

That's three games.

Three wins.

And perhaps most importantly, a Pirates team that has spent much of the season trying to climb back into the race is finally above .500.

Bucs Continue Their September Surge

The Pirates' recent turnaround has suddenly made the final weeks of the season much more interesting.

Pittsburgh improved to 74-73 with the victory and moved above .500 for the first time since late July.

The Pirates also moved to within striking distance of the final National League Wild Card spot, giving this young roster something meaningful to chase as the regular season enters its final stretch.

Whether the Bucs can complete an unlikely postseason push remains to be seen.

But they're giving Pittsburgh baseball fans a reason to keep watching in September.

Steel Tahn Sports Player of the Game

Turning Point

Oneil Cruz's fourth-inning home run finally broke a scoreless pitchers' duel and gave Jared Jones the only run he would ultimately need.

What's Next?

The Pirates leave Chicago above .500 and riding one of their best stretches of baseball this season.

With the National League Wild Card race still within reach, every game from here on out carries a little more weight.