Pirates Outlast Marlins in Extra Innings to Complete Four-Game Sweep

Despite a blown save from David Bednar (1-0) in the bottom of the ninth, the Pittsburgh Pirates outlasted the Miami Marlins 9-7 in 10 innings at loanDepot Park on Easter Sunday.

The Pirates had a 7-6 lead in the bottom of the ninth, but Bednar surrendered a solo homer to pinch-hitter Nick Gordon with one out to even the score.

The Pirates used small ball in the top of the 10th inning to push across a pair of runs. Oneil Cruz scored from third base on a sacrifice bunt from Jason Delay and Michael A. Taylor later drew a bases-loaded walk to put the Pirates ahead by a pair.

We love a well-placed bunt.

Especially when it gives us the lead in extras. pic.twitter.com/lGni33f9U8

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 31, 2024

Hunter Stratton held the Marlins scoreless in the bottom of the 10th inning for the first save of his big-league career.

With the win, the Pirates (4-0) completed the four-game sweep over the Marlins (0-4), starting their 2024 season on a high note. It’s the 13th time in franchise history the Pirates overcame a deficit of at least five runs.

Pittsburgh trailed by five runs after the first inning. Jake Burger delivered an RBI-single and Jazz Chisholm Jr. connected on a grand slam off of starting pitcher Bailey Falter. 

Falter struggled in his first start of the season. The left-hander allowed six runs on five hits, two of which were home runs, in four innings. Falter walked three batters and struck out a pair.

The Pirates ensured that Falter would not be on the hook for the loss and started mounting a comeback in the second inning. 

Alika Williams drove in a pair with a triple that got past left fielder Bryan De La Cruz and Williams scored on a Bryan Reynolds infield single. Reynolds extended his current on-base streak to 32 games.

The Pirates came within a run in the fourth on Ke’Bryan Hayes’ RBI-single. Hayes has had at least one hit in all four games to start the season.

Eight of the nine starters in the Pirates’ lineup had at least one hit and all nine reached at least once. Hayes had two more hits, giving him multiple hits in all four games to start the season. Jared Triolo had a pair and drew to walks. 

The Marlins struck back in the bottom of the fourth inning when Avisaíl García hit a solo homer to left field off of Falter. 

Rowdy Tellez connected on his first homer with the Pirates and gave Pittsburgh their first lead, 7-6. The blast off of Vladimir Gutierrez in the seventh inning out to center field measured 425 feet. 

Up Next

The Pirates will head to the Nation’s Capital for the start of a three-game series against the Washington Nationals beginning on Monday. Marco Gonzales will make his team debut as the Pirates’ starter. Left-hander Mackenize Gore will make the start for the Nats. First pitch: 4:05 ET.

Housekeeping

Prior to first pitch, the Pirates returned right-hander Roansy Contreras from the paternity list and optioned lefty Jose Hernandez to Triple-A Indianapolis.