Final
McCutchen, Mercer help Pirates down Marlins
Jun 15, 2014 - 1:25 AM Miami, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Andrew McCutchen smacked a three-run homer and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Miami Marlins, 8-6, in the middle test of a three-game set.Jordy Mercer belted a solo shot and an RBI double to go with two runs scored for the Pirates, who have won five of their last six games. Charlie Morton (4-7) struck out six and surrendered two runs on five hits and three walks over seven innings to notch the win.
Jason Grilli recorded the final out in the ninth to notch his 11th save after Stolmy Pimentel allowed four runs in the frame. This was after Pittsburgh's bullpen imploded on Friday night, giving up four runs on six walks and just one hit to allow Miami to tie the game.
Marcell Ozuna and Jeff Baker each hit a two-run homers, while Randy Wolf (1-3) allowed five runs on nine hits and two walks for Miami, which has dropped three straight.
"It's really frsutrating to physically feel good and just not execute out there," said Wolf. "It's embarrassing to go out there and not have the command that you should."
The Pirates raced out to a 5-0 lead after plating a pair in the second and adding three more in the fourth.
Mercer led off the second by launching a homer over the wall in left-center. Pedro Alvarez, Chris Stewart and Morton all singled to load the bases, Gregory Polanco's groundout brought home Alvarez. Starling Marte, though, grounded into a double play to end the threat.
"Good pitching and good offense," said McCutchen. "Getting on the board first definitely helps us."
Stewart singled to begin the fourth and moved to second on Morton's sacrifice bunt. Polanco coaxed a walk and following Marte's strikeout, McCutchen cracked a 2-1 hanging curveball for his no-doubt, three-run blast into left-center to put Pittsburgh well in front.
Miami got two runs back in the home fourth, but the Pirates tacked on three more in the fifth.
Garrett Jones worked a one-out walk in the fourth and scored on Ozuna's triple. Ozuna crossed the plate on J.T. Realmuto's RBI groundout.
Mercer laced an RBI double to right and later scored on Morton's squeeze bunt in the fifth. Polanco's run-scoring single increased the Pittsburgh margin to 8-2.
Ozuna and Baker's two-run blasts came in the ninth to cap the scoring.
Game Notes
The Pirates were 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position, while Miami finished 1-for-5 with RISP ... McCutchen's homer was his 11th of the season, while Ozuna's blast was his 12th.
- PITTSBURGH: 8
MIAMI: 6
Final
Jun 14 7:20 PM - Jeff Baker two-out, two-run Home Run (2) to left scored Adeiny Hechavarria. Rafael Furcal due up.
Pirates 8, Marlins 6 Bot 9, 2 OutsJun 14 7:14 PM - Marcell Ozuna one-out, two-run Home Run (12) to right center scored Casey McGehee. J.T. Realmuto due up.
Pirates 8, Marlins 4 Bot 9, 1 OutJun 14 7:10 PM - Gregory Polanco single to center scored Chris Stewart with two out. Runner on first and Starling Marte due up.
Pirates 8, Marlins 2 Top 5, 2 OutsJun 14 5:50 PM - Charlie Morton sacrifice bunt to pitcher scored Jordy Mercer with two out. On the play, Chris Stewart advanced to second. Runner on second and Gregory Polanco due up.
Pirates 7, Marlins 2 Top 5, 2 OutsJun 14 5:49 PM - Jordy Mercer double to right scored Josh Harrison with none out. Runner on second and Pedro Alvarez due up.
Pirates 6, Marlins 2 Top 5, 0 OutsJun 14 5:46 PM - J.T. Realmuto ground out short to first scored Marcell Ozuna with two out. None on and Adeiny Hechavarria due up.
Pirates 5, Marlins 2 Bot 4, 2 OutsJun 14 5:38 PM - Marcell Ozuna triple to right scored Garrett Jones with one out. Runner on third and J.T. Realmuto due up.
Pirates 5, Marlins 1 Bot 4, 1 OutJun 14 5:36 PM - Andrew McCutchen two-out, three-run Home Run (11) to left center scored Chris Stewart and Gregory Polanco. Gaby Sanchez due up.
Pirates 5, Marlins 0 Top 4, 2 OutsJun 14 5:27 PM - Gregory Polanco reached first on a fielder's choice, second to short that scored Pedro Alvarez with one out. Charlie Morton out at second as Chris Stewart advanced to third. Runners on first and third and Starling Marte due up.
Pirates 2, Marlins 0 Top 2, 1 OutJun 14 4:38 PM - Jordy Mercer lead-off Home Run (4) to left center. Pedro Alvarez due up.
Pirates 1, Marlins 0 Top 2, 0 OutsJun 14 4:32 PM - PITTSBURGH: 0
MIAMI: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jun 14 4:11 PM
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