Two big innings lead Pirates to blowout victory over Marlins

Noah Hiles, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Jun 9, 2025

Published in Baseball

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PITTSBURGH — The Pirates continued their winning ways Monday, defeating the Miami Marlins, 10-3, at PNC Park. Caleb Ferguson was the game’s winning pitcher, improving to 2-0 on the year. Marlins starter Eury Perez suffered the loss in his first big-league outing of the season.

Similar to what happened twice during the weekend, the Pirates managed to grind out a win despite the opposition scoring first. Miami jumped ahead 1-0 in the top of the second inning thanks to a solo homer from Otto Lopez, his sixth of the season.

The Pirates responded in the bottom of the third, plating four runs. The rally started with Brett Sullivan leading the frame off with a walk. Jared Triolo followed with a single and Oneil Cruz walked to load the bases for Andrew McCutchen, who drove Sullivan home with an infield hit. Bryan Reynolds then cleared the bases the next at-bat with a triple to right-center field, making the score 4-1.

The Marlins struck back in the top of the fifth, tallying an additional run off Pirates starter Mike Burrows. Chase Shugart replaced Burrows with two outs remaining in the frame, successfully preventing further damage in the fifth inning.

Pittsburgh’s bullpen carried the load for the remainder of the game while the offense continued to add on.

Adam Frazier singled home Spencer Horwitz in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 5-2. The Pirates added two more runs the next at-bat when a successful bunt from Ke’Bryan Hayes forced multiple errors that allowed Nick Gonzales and Frazier to both score. Hayes then scored on a sacrifice fly from Sullivan, concluding another four-run frame.

Sullivan drove home an additional run the following inning on a single to right field. The Marlins tallied their third and final run of the evening the next frame on an RBI double to right field by Connor Norby. The Pirates, however, weren’t finished, as Horwitz plated McCutchen in the bottom of the eighth with a groundout to first base which brought the game to its final score of 10-3.

It was over when ...

Reynolds tripled to right field, giving the Pirates a three-run advantage.

On the mound

Although Burrows didn’t pitch long enough to factor into the decision, his 4 1/3 innings of work included a few highlights, striking out six batters for the second straight outing. He surrendered four hits and three walks, the latter forcing him to make an early exit.

Ferguson replaced Shugart at the start of the sixth inning, tossing a pair of perfect innings in relief to earn his second win of the season. Kyle Nicolas then pitched the final two innings, allowing one run on three hits.

At the plate

Eight of the nine players in Don Kelly’s starting lineup scored at least once Monday evening. All nine starters reached base safely. The Pirates outhit the Marlins 15 to seven. McCutchen, Reynolds, Gonzales and Frazier provided multi-hit efforts.

Most valuable player

Sullivan, who in his first game as a Pirate finished 1 for 2 with a walk and pair of RBIs at the plate. In the field, he threw out an attempted base stealer in the top of the first inning.

Up next

The Pirates will continue their three game series against the Marlins on Tuesday at PNC Park. First pitch is 6:40 p.m. ET. Mitch Keller (1-8, 4.13) will face off against the Marlins’ Sandy Alcantara (2-7, 7.89).

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