Pittsburgh Pirates Snap Four Game Losing Streak

The Pittsburgh Pirates snapped their four game losing streak on Saturday

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ losing streak is over, yay! After dropping four consecutive games, the Bucs got back into the win column on Saturday afternoon. It came via a 7-6 victory over the Miami Marlins.

The Bucs are now 1-2 to start their 10 game homestand, and 27-34 overall on the season. The Bucs are now 3-3 this season against the Marlins.

The Miami Marlins jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead on Saturday afternoon. However, in the bottom of the 2nd inning, the Pittsburgh Pirates began to rally. Josh Bell tripled and Andrew McCutchen hit a double to start the inning, cutting the Miami lead to 3-1.

Adam Frazier then singled to start the bottom of the 3rd inning. With 2 outs, David Freese was hit by a Dan Straily pitch. Josh Bell then collected a RBI single to make it 3-2 Marlins. Then, Andrew McCutchen ripped a double to score Freese and tie the game at 3. However, on the play, Bell was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

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Unfortunately, the game would not remain tied long. Miami catcher J.T. Realmuto led off the top of the 4th inning with a home run to make it 4-3 Marlins. This was followed by a solo home run from Derek Dietrich to make it 5-3 Marlins.

Trevor Williams lasted just 4 innings on Saturday afternoon. This snapped a streak of 5 consecutive strong starts from the right-handed pitcher. Williams’ ex-organization tagged him for 5 runs, all earned, on 6 hits, 2 home runs, and 3 strikeouts in his 4 innings of work.

In the bottom of the 4th inning, the Pittsburgh Pirates would cut into the Miami lead. Elias Diaz and Jordy Mercer collected back-to-back singles to start the inning. Jose Osuna then pinch-hit for Trevor Williams and hit into a double play. However, on the double play, Diaz scored to cut the Marlins’ lead to 5-4.

With 2 outs in the inning, Adam Frazier would reach on a Dee Gordon error. Josh Harrison then drew a walk. However, Gregory Polanco would line out to Gordon to end the inning.

Edgar Santana made his Major League debut for the Pirates in the top of the 5th inning. Unfortunately for Santana, he would get burnt by poor defense.

While he struck out 2 batters, the Marlins scored a run on a trio of hits. One of the hits he allowed was a double that David Freese booted at third base, while another was an infield hit.

Jhan Marinez and Daniel Hudson would each follow with a scoreless inning of work. Neither allowed a hit, and each recorded a strikeout.

With an out in the bottom of the 7th inning, Andrew McCutchen reached on an infield hit giving him 3 hits on the day. This was followed by a walk by Elias Diaz, who reached base 4 times on Saturday afternoon. After this, the game would begin to change.

Shortstop Jordy Mercer put a charge into a ball to center field. The ball clanked in and out of the glove of Miami center fielder Christian Yelich, allowing Mercer to reach third base and McCutchen and Diaz to score. This tied the game at 6.

Pinch-hitter John Jaso then stepped to the plate. Jaso would collect a RBI double, which gave the Pirates their first lead of the day at 7-6.

Juan Nicasio then pitched the 8th inning for the Pirates. He would record the first 2  outs of the inning, both via strikeout, before being lifted for Felipe Rivero. He would do what he does, and strikeout Dee Gordon to end the inning. Rivero then retired the Marlins in order in the 9th inning to slam the door.

The fourth and final game of this series is scheduled for 1:35. Ivan Nova will try and pitch the Pittsburgh Pirates to a series split, while ex-Pirate punching bag Jeff Locke will start for the Marlins. This will be just the second start of the season for Locke who started the season on the disabled list.