Pittsburgh Pirates Stay Hot on Road Trip, Defeat Marlins 3-2

Looking to stay hot on their road trip, the Pittsburgh Pirates played the second game of a four-game series in Miami on Tuesday night

After continuing the strong start to their road trip with a 5-1 victory on Monday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates played the second game of their four-game series in Miami on Tuesday night. For the second time in as many nights the Pirates would walk away victorious.

Following a 3-2 victory over the Miami Marlins, the Pirates are now 4-1 on their current road tip and 38-50 overall on the season. This marks the first time that the Pittsburgh Pirates have won four games in a row since September 2019.

Chris Stratton pitches well as an opener

The Pittsburgh Pirates did not have a starting pitcher available for Tuesday night. A big reason for this was the team optioning both Roansy Contreras and Bryse Wilson to the minors after they pitched last Thursday’s doubleheader, which means they can not be recalled for at least 15 days without a player going on the injured list. Miguel Yajure also pitched over the weekend for Triple-A Indy. Not exactly good roster management, but I digress.

This led to Chris Stratton serving as an opener for the Pirates. Derek Shelton could not have asked for more from Stratton. Stratton retired the first six batters he faced. After allowing a base hit to Brian Anderson to start the 3rd inning, he got a fly out before allowing a two-out double.

Following the double Stratton was pulled as the top of the Miami lineup came to the plate for the second time through the lineup. Dillon Peters returned from the injured list, getting Joey Wendle to hit a sacrifice fly before recording a strikeout to end the 3rd inning. Peters, in his return from the IL, also gave the Pirates a strong outing allowing a run on two hits, no walks and 3 strikeouts in 2.2 innings pitched.

Stratton allowed a run, which scored after he exited the game, on two hits, no walks and no strikeouts in 2.1 innings pitched. He threw a season high tying 31 pitches, while firing 61% of them for strikes. Any team would take this outing from an opener.

Jake Marisnick continues hot return from the injured list

In his return from the injured list Jake Marisnick started in center field for the Pirates on Monday night, going 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, and the home run that put the game away. Tuesday night, he continued his hot return from the IL.

Marisnick opened the scoring by launching a solo home run in the 3rd inning. Marisnick’s 2nd return in as many games since returning from the IL, and 2nd of the season, left his bat at 107 MPH and traveled 397 feet.

There was also a stretch in the 1st and 2nd inning where Marisnick recorded five straight put outs. Marisnick became the first center fielder since Leody Taveras on April 15th of last season with the Texas Rangers to record five straight put outs. He also became the first center fielder to do it as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates since at least 1987.

Two out hits plate a pair for the Pirates in the 5th inning

Diego Castillo singled to start the 5th inning. However, after the Pirates made back-to-back outs it looked like he may be stranded. Thankfully, Oneil Cruz would make sure that this was not going to happen.

Facing a 1-2 count, against a lefty nonetheless, Cruz hit a ball into the right field corner. Castillo would score easily as Cruz glided into third base for an easy triple, the first of his MLB career. Cruz would then trot home on a Jason Delay single that made the score 3-1 Pirates.

Cruz continues to do Cruz things. No one needs to tell you that he’s going to be a special player. As for Delay, he continues to defy the odds. At one point it looked like Delay might be a career minor leaguer who, and now he has played his way into being the starting catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Excellent night for the bullpen

While the Pirate offense was done scoring after the 5th inning, the bullpen was just getting started. We’ve already discussed Stratton and Peters who combined to allow a pair of runs on four hits, no walks and three strikeouts in 5 innings pitched.

In relief of Stratton and Peters, the Pirate bullpen continued to be lights out.

Tyler Beede was next up. Beede retired all six batters he faced. As a Pirate Beede has now allowed 19 hits and just two home runs while posting a 2.97 ERA in 24.2 innings pitched. Wil Crowe then recorded a strikeout in a 1-2-3 8th inning.

In the 9th inning, it was renegade time. National League All-Star, and Pittsburgh native, David Bednar took the mound in the bottom of the 9th inning. While Bednar allowed a tow-out single, he picked up a strikeout to end the game for his 16th save of the season.

JT Brubaker (4.34 ERA, 3.91 FIP) is expected to start for the Pirates in game three of the four-game series on Wednesday night. Righty Pablo López (2.91 ERA, 3.60 FIP) who has emerged as one of the most underrated starting pitchers in the National League is slated to start for the Marlins. First pitch from LoanDepot Park is scheduled for 6:40 PM ET.