Jose Quintana’s Trade Stock Increases in Pirates’ 1-0 Win over Marlins

Jose Quintana improved his trade stock some more Saturday night as he pitched seven scoreless innings to lead the Pirates to a 1-0 victory over the Miami Marlins at PNC Park.

The 33-year-old left-hander matched his season high for innings while allowing just four hits. He struck out four and had no walks before Wil Crowe and David Bednar finished with one scoreless inning apiece.

Bednar notched his 17^th save in his first appearance since pitching in the All-Star Game on Tuesday in Los Angeles.

Multiple teams have contacted the Pirates about Quintana’s availability with the MLB trade deadline approaching Aug. 2. He will likely be on the move with his one-year, $2-million contract expiring after this season as the Pirates try to flip him for a prospect or two.

Quintana raised his record to 3-5 and lowered his ERA to 3.70 in 19 starts this season. He would seemingly help many contending teams as a back-of-the-rotation starter.

The Pirates defense helped Quintana by turning three double plays.

The biggest came in the third inning when the game was still scoreless. With runners on first and third with one, Miguel Rojas grounded into an inning-ending 6-4-3 twin killing.

Veteran designated hitter/first baseman Yoshi Tsutsugo’s trade stock doesn’t come close to matching that of Quintana. However, Tsutsugo drove in the game’s lone run with a sixth-inning single.

With two outs and runners on the corners, Tsutsugo delivered his hit, scoring Ben Gamel, who led off the inning with a single.

It just Tsutsugo’s 16^th RBI in 45 games this season. He is also hitting .176 with two home runs.

The Pirates also had at least one runner on base in each of the first five innings but failed to score. Their best opportunity was in the third when Kevin Newman’s double gave the Pirates runners on second and third with no outs.

Eight of the nine Pirates’ starters had hits. Third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes was the exception and he also made two errors.