Jameson Taillon Continues to Dominate in Pittsburgh Pirates Victory

Jameson Taillon is starting to evolve into one of the best starting pitchers in the National League

After a 1-0 victory over the Miami Marlins on Saturday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates are now 10-4 this season. Leading the Pirates to victory on Saturday was starting pitcher Jameson Taillon who turned in another dominant performance.

After playing arguably their worst game of the season thus far on Friday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates cleaned up their pitching and defense on Saturday. While the team still struggled offensively, they were able to scratch out a run in a gritty 1-0 victory.

Despite not having his best control on Saturday night, Jameson Taillon still pitched 6 scoreless innings. He held the Marlins to 4 hits, he walked 3, and he struck out 2. Taillon was able to induce weak contact and kept the ball on the ground throughout the night generating 12 groundball outs. He also got help from a double play and a base running blunder by Justin Bour in the bottom of the 4th inning.

Ultimately, Taillon did what front-end of the rotation starters are supposed to do and shut down the opponent. As I predicted before the season, Taillon is quickly emerging into one of the top-10 starting pitchers in the National League.

This start came on the heels of a complete game shutout from Taillon in his last start. Taillon has now allowed just 9 hits, 5 walks, and has struck out 18 batters in 20 1/3 innings pitched this season. In his three starts, he owns a 0.89 ERA and a 2.80 FIP.

For a second consecutive night the Pirate offense struggled against a subpar Miami staff. Entering the 9th inning, the Pirates only had a pair of hits on the night with each hit having been collected by Francisco Cervelli.

Starling Marte reached on a 1-out bunt single in the top of the 9th inning. He then took off to steal second base but put on the brakes. However, when he started to steal Marlin second baseman Starlin Castro started to cover the bag leading to Josh Bell getting a base hit off of a ball that appeared to be a routine double play ball.

On Bell’s hit, Marte was able to motor to third base. Corey Dickerson then stepped to the plate and made the odd decision to bunt. Dickerson’s bunt would pop straight up in the air, however, no one from the Marlins fielded the ball on what appeared to be an easy out. This allowed Marte to score to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead, while also extending Dickerson’s hitting streak to nine games.

With the Pirates clinging to a 1-0 lead, Felipe Vazquez took the mound in the top of the 9th inning. Vazquez made quick work of the Marlins, retiring the Fish in order to close out the 1-0 Pirate victory.

Next: Pirates Claim Enny Romero

On Sunday afternoon the Pirates and Marlins will play the rubber match of their three game series. Ivan Nova will get the ball for the Bucs, as the Marlins will counter with Jose Urena. With a victory, the Pirates will improve to 4-0-1 in series this season. First pitch from Marlins Park is scheduled for 1:10 p.m.