Pittsburgh Pirates Win Third Consecutive Game

Apr 29, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova (46) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova (46) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have secured their second road series victory of the season

Saturday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Miami Marlins. With the win, the Pirates improved to 11-12 on the season and 2-0 on their current 6 game road trip. This was the team’s third consecutive victory and clinches a series victory this weekend.

While the Pirate offense was not nearly as explosive as it was during Friday night’s 12 run, 18 hit output it did enough to earn a victory. The team also got a huge boost from starting pitcher Ivan Nova who threw yet another gem.

After being retired in order in the top of the 1st inning, the Pittsburgh Pirates struck for their first run on the night in the top of the 2nd. Gregory Polanco, who finished the night 2-for-3 with 2 doubles and a walk, doubled to lead off the inning. Then Jordy Mercer drove him in with a two-out single.

This gave the Bucs a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the 6th inning, the Pirates would add to their lead. With one out Josh Bell singled, and then the wheels would come off for Miami starting pitcher Dan Straily.

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Straily would then walk four consecutive batters. These four batters were Andrew McCutchen, Gregory Polanco, Francisco Cervelli, and John Jaso. The ladder two came with the bases loaded and brought in a run. This made it 3-0 Pirates.

John Jaso hit his first home run of the season to lead off the top of the 9th inning, this made it 4-0 Pirates.

Ivan Nova started for the Pittsburgh Pirates and was excellent once again. In fact, he threw a Greg Maddux on Saturday night.

Ivan Nova went the distance on Saturday night holding the Marlins scoreless on just 3 hits. Nova did not walk a batter, he struck out 7, and he threw just 95 pitches. This was Nova’s second complete game of the season and his 5th in 16 starts as a Pirate.

On the season Ivan Nova now owns a 1.50 ERA, 2.67 FIP, and a 3.32 xFIP in 36 innings pitched. He ranks in the top 5 in the NL in both ERA and innings pitched. The work he has done as a Pirate has been absolutely incredible.

A big role in Nova’s success was some great defense by third baseman Josh Harrison. In the bottom of the 6th inning, he made an incredible diving catch on a bunt attempt by Dee Gordon. He then made an incredible diving stop of a ball hit by J.T. Realmuto to start a 5-4-3 double play in the bottom of the 8th inning.

Gift Ngoepe also deserves a lot of credit for the double play, as he made a top notch turn at second base.

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The Pirates will go for their third series sweep of the young season at 1:05 PM on Sunday afternoon. Chad Kuhl is scheduled to get the ball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, while the Miami Marlins will counter with Tom Koehler.

With a victory on Sunday, the Pirates will finish the month of April with a .500 record.