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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. .. 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DaRon Payne Redskins Jersey .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch.Football agent Mark McKay says it would take ridiculous money to sign the West Ham midfielder Dimitri Payet this summer. Payet joined the Hammers from Marseille last summer and enjoyed a sensational debut season in the Premier League, earning a call-up for the France squad for Euro 2016.He justified his inclusion in Didier Deschamps final 23-man squad with a dazzling display in Frances opening Group A match against Romania, scoring a stunning last-minute goal to earn the hosts a 2-1 win. Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have since been linked in the national press with moves for the 29-year-old, with figures quoted as high as £60m. Payet scored 12 times for West Ham during his debut season in England But McKay, who played a role in Payets move to West Ham, has hinted the France international is content in east London and feels only a mega-money offer could tempt the Hammers to sell their star man.As far as I am concerned, hes been happy at West Ham and its down to West Ham that hes in the position that he is in, he told Sky Sports News HQ.Hes doing great now for France and to get him now, youve got to be talking ridiculous money. But football is football, so you never know. Hammers sign Feghouli West Ham have signed Valencia winger Sofiane Feghouli on a free transfer... He added: When he first came last year, we hoped for the best with him. We knew that he was a really good player, but I dont think anyone could really expect what he has gone on to do in the Premier League so far. The game against Romania the other night was a joy to watch.Mckay also confirmed West Ham forward Diafra Sakho is seeking assurances over his future at the club.Sky sources understand Sakho has told Hammers boss Slaven Bilic he wants to leave this summer, with Sunderland keen on signing him. Diafra Sakho could leave the Hammers this summer He has had conversations with people at West Ham and he wants to know where his future lies.dddddddddddd He wants to start pre-season where he wants to be playing, McKay said.West Ham are looking for that top, top striker and Diafra is a bit concerned, that once they find that striker, what his place in the team is going to be.If he gets those assurances from West Ham, I am sure hell be happy to stay there, but otherwise he may be looking elsewhere. Sky Sports News HQ Anton Toloui investigates reports that West Ham want to sign Besiktas duo Atiba Hutchinson and Gokhan Tore I think if you look at Diafra, he is a victim of the success West Ham have had. Now they are going to the Olympic Stadium, they want to kick on and he may just be left behind, hes not that star name they are looking for maybe. So, well wait and see on that. Its up in the air at the moment. Hes a West Ham play