SAN FRANCISCO -- The Pirates have proven that they truly are equal-opportunity employers. This bodes well for Cole Tucker.

At 23, Tucker remains an intriguing prospect. He provided a glimpse of his ability in the Pirates’ 6-3 victory Wednesday night at Oracle Park by drilling a pinch-hit RBI double in the sixth inning that increased Pittsburgh’s lead to 5-3 and blunted the momentum the Giants gained by scoring three fifth-inning runs.

• Box score

Tucker charged around the basepaths as if he had been released from a cage, which in a way was the case -- he was initially called out at third base, then was ruled safe after a video review. Though manager Clint Hurdle has tried to find playing time for Tucker, who recorded a pinch-hit single Tuesday and started Monday’s game, there’s little doubt that Kevin Newman has established himself as Pittsburgh’s primary shortstop.

Nevertheless, Tucker has no cause for concern. As long as he stays healthy and keeps hustling, he has a chance to secure more substantial playing time as a middle infielder. Hurdle was all too happy to provide a lesson in recent history that proves this.

“He’s shown an ability to hit off the bench,” Hurdle said. “He has defensive skills. He could play shortstop. He could play second base. We’ve had a number of guys over the years come up in multiskill roles -- Josh Harrison, Jordy Mercer, Neil Walker -- and then eventually settle at one position. Newman came up this year playing second base, shortstop, third base and outfield, and then settled into shortstop. So I don’t think our goals ever changed with Tucker. He has the ability to be a Major League shortstop. But we have to find time for him at second base to see if that’s an option as well.”

Right now, Tucker’s thrilled just to be part of a club that’s capable of stunning performances. His second pinch-hit in two nights preceded a remarkable showcase by Pittsburgh’s bullpen, which no-hit the Giants for the final five innings. Closer Felipe Vazquez embodied dominance by using only six pitches to complete the ninth inning.

Consider, too, that Pittsburgh scored six runs even though its top-of-the-order combination of Newman and Bryan Reynolds went 1-for-10.

“It breeds confidence. You never know who it’s going to be,” Tucker said. “We’re excited for each person to have the opportunity and we’re persistent as hell.”

The Pirates asserted themselves offensively before Tucker accented their triumph. Adam Frazier and Kevin Kramer collected RBI singles in the second inning off Giants starter Logan Webb (1-2). José Osuna led off the fourth with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Elias Díaz. In the fifth, Newman singled, stole second base and scored on Colin Moran’s single.

After the Giants’ fifth-inning uprising trimmed Pittsburgh’s lead to a single run, Tucker turned matters back in Pittsburgh’s favor with his smash off Sam Selman. It scored Pablo Reyes, who also capitalized on his pinch-hit appearance by drawing a walk.

“It’s a thrill any time you get to be in a game,” Tucker said. “But to have some hard contact and be able to show off your speed running like an idiot is really fun.”