Pirates Blow Late Lead, Lose to Marlins 4-3

RECAP

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Pirates blew a late 3-0 lead as the Miami Marlins rallied for four runs in the eighth inning and won 4-3 on Friday night at PNC Park.

Ryan Borucki allowed the first run in the eighth and Colin Selby (2-2) was charged with the other three. The Pirates (75-85) lost for the fourth time in their last five games.

The Marlins (83-76) maintained their lead for the third and final National League wild card.

Former Pirates slugger Josh Bell broke up his old team’s shutout bid with a two-run double off Selby. Jake Burger followed with a tying single and Jazz Chisholm Jr. put the Marlins ahead with a sacrifice fly.

Connor Joe went 2 for 2 with two walks from the leadoff spot for the Pirates. Rookies Endy Rodriguez and Liover Peguero also had two hits each from the bottom of the order.

Osvaldo Bido started for the Pirates in a bullpen game and worked two scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out two. Hunter Stratton and Kyle Nicolas followed with two shutout innings apiece.

Huascar Brazoban (5-2) pitched a scoreless seventh for the win and Tanner Scott had a 1-2-3 ninth for his 11^th save. Burger and Garrett Hampson had two hits apiece for the Marlins.

KEY MOMENT

Bell’s double seemed to awake the Marlins, who did not arrive at their hotel until almost 6 a.m. Their game with the Mets on Thursday night in New York was suspended in the ninth inning because of rain after a delay of three hours and 16 minutes.

STAR OF THE GAME

Scott got the save while pitching for the first time since his wife gave birth to the couple’s first child. The Warren, Ohio native also nailed down the win, completing 5.1 scoreless innings combined by five relievers, in front of a contingent of family and friends.

STAT OF INTEREST

The Pirates have assured themselves of a losing record at PNC Park this season. They are 38-41 in home games with just two games remaining.

NOTEWORTHY

–Left fielder Bryan Reynolds extended his on-base streak to a season-high 27 games with a first-inning walk. However, Reynolds wound up going 0 for 4.

–Second baseman Jared Triolo doubled and scored in the fourth inning to reach base in his 11^th straight game. The rookie went 1 for 4.

–Right-hander Cody Bolton was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis prior to the game and righty Luis Ortiz was optioned to the same club. This marks the seventh time Bolton has been called up from Indianapolis this season.

UP NEXT

The middle game of the three-game series is set for 6:35 p.m. Saturday. Neither team has announced a starting pitcher.