The Pittsburgh Pirates returned to PNC Park on Friday night to begin their final series of the 2023 season. Their opponent would be the Miami Marlins, who are in a battle for the final Wild Card spot in the National League. Pittsburgh led for most of the night, but Miami would rally late to take game one by the final of 4-3.
Ke’Bryan Hayes began the scoring on the night in the third inning when he grounded out to bring in Endy Rodriguez. The Pirates would plate two more runs in the fourth to increase their lead to three. Rodriguez would hit an RBI center to single to bring home Jared Triolo. The final run for the home team came on a Garrett Hampson throwing error that allowed Rodriguez to score once again.
The Marlins would breakout for four runs in the eighth inning against a struggling Pittsburgh bullpen. Former Bucco Josh Bell drove in a pair when he doubled to right with the bases loaded. Jake Burger then tied the game with a single to left center. Yuli Gurriel would score the winning run when he came home on a Jazz Chisholm Jr. sac fly.
Pittsburgh used seven pitchers on the night with three throwing two innings apiece. Colin Selby would suffer the loss after allowing four runs on four hits with a walk in the eighth inning. Miami relief pitcher Huascar Brazoban picked up his fifth win of the season after striking out two batters in the seventh. Tanner Scott earned his 11th save of the year after working the ninth.
Tough losses like these have come in bunches this year for the Pirates and they never get any easier for us fans. A few more runs of the by the offense would have been nice, but you expect the bullpen to hold a three-run lead in the eighth inning. This series will continue Saturday night at 6:35pm. Starting pitchers will be Quinn Priester for Pittsburgh and JT Chargois the Marlins.
Record vs. Marlins: 1-4
Record vs. N.L. East: 15-16
Record at Home: 38-41
Overall Record: 75-85
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
