The Pittsburgh Pirates wrapped up a short three game home stand against the Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon. After splitting the first two games of this series, both teams were looking to leave with a series win. Nine innings were not enough, as it took two runs in the top of the tenth by Miami to leave PNC Park with a 6-5 victory.
Both starting pitchers were solid over the course of their six innings on the mound. Mitch Keller allowed three runs on five hits with seven strikeouts. Sandy Alcantara struck out ten and walked three, while allowing two runs on two hits. The first Pittsburgh run came in the third on a solo home run by Oneil Cruz. The Marlins tied the game with a solo homer from Bryan De La Cruz in the fifth.
Miami took the lead in the sixth when Jesus Aguilar hit a two RBI single to left center. The Pirates got a run back in the bottom of the inning when Ben Gamel hit a sac fly to center. The Marlins added to their lead in the ninth when De La Cruz brought in JJ Bleday on a single to center. Pittsburgh battled back in the bottom of the ninth when Yoshi Tsutsugo drove in a pair with a single to right center.
With a runner on second to start the inning, Nick Fortes singled to right to drive in Luke Williams. Miami added what would be the winning run when Fortes scored on a Miguel Rojas single. The Pirates got one run in the bottom half of the inning on a Cal Mitchell single to right, but it was not enough in the end.
This was a tough loss for Pittsburgh as it not only gave the Marlins the series win, but also the season series win. The offense continues to struggle as they were outhit 11-6, and All-Star David Bednar picked up his fourth loss of the year. The Pirates will hit the road for a two game series against the Chicago Cubs beginning Monday night.
Record vs. Marlins: 3-4
Record vs. N.L. East: 7-11
Record at Home: 21-25
Overall Record: 40-56
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
