The long road trip continued in South Florida Monday night, as the Pittsburgh Pirates began a four-game series with the Miami Marlins. This is the first time these two teams have played this season, and Miami has been a bit of surprise thus far. They entered the series just two games under .500 and four games out of a Wild Card spot.
Mitch Keller truly was stellar tonight during his seven innings on the mound. He allowed just one run on five hits with five strikeouts. The lone run came in the sixth when Avisail Garcia hit an RBI single to left to bring home Garrett Cooper. Chase De Jong collected the first two outs of the eighth, walking one batter, before Yerry De Los Santos collected the final four outs. He struck out four and walked one during that time to earn his third save of the season.
Pittsburgh was able to get to Marlins starter Trevor Rogers while he was on the mound for 5.1 innings. Rogers gave up three runs, two earned, on six hits with seven strikeouts and three walks. Diego Castillo got it started in the first when he drove in a pair of runs with a single to center. Kevin Newman drove in a run with a double to left center just one inning later.
The Pirates offense remained quiet until the ninth inning. That is when Jake Marisnick hit a 410 ft. two run home run to left center off of relief pitcher Jimmy Yacabonis. to close out the scoring on the night. Marisnick returned to the lineup tonight after coming off the IL. He was replaced on the IL by Bryan Reynolds who is expected to miss at least 10 days with an oblique strain.
This was the third straight win for Pittsburgh and fourth out of sixth to start this road trip. The Pirates outhit Miami tonight 11-5 with Newman leading the way with three hits. Castillo, Marisnick, and Jason Delay each had two. These two teams will be back on the field Tuesday night at 6:40pm. Daniel Castano is expected to start for the Marlins, while Pittsburgh has yet to say who will be on the mound.
Record vs. Marlins: 1-0
Record vs. N.L. East: 5-7
Record on the Road: 17-27
Overall Record: 37-50
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
