Andrew McCutchen hit a milestone three-run homer to support a solid start from Bailey Falter and lead the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a 5-2 win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday afternoon.
The Pirates continued their recent surge, winning for the fifth time in six games, and concluded a nine-game homestand with six wins. The Marlins have lost eight of their last 10.
McCutchen’s three-run shot to left center off Marlins starter Cal Quantrill (3-7) in the fifth inning was his 241st home run as a Pirate and moved him past Roberto Clemente into third place in franchise history behind only Clemente’s fellow Hall of Famers Willie Stargell and Ralph Kiner.
It was McCutchen’s 325th career home run overall and put Pittsburgh ahead 4-0.
Quantrill gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out six on 99 pitches.
Heriberto Hernandez put the Marlins on the board in the top of the sixth with a solo home run off Falter (5-3).
After retiring Otto Lopez on a ground out, Falter was removed after 71 pitches. He gave up five hits, walked one and struck out three in 5 1/3 innings.
Braxton Ashcraft proceeded to walk Eric Wagaman, who came around to score the Marlins’ second run on a grounder by Jesus Sanchez after Connor Norby singled. Ashcraft walked Liam Hicks, prompting Pirates manager Don Kelly to replace him with Dennis Santana, who ended the threat by striking out pinch hitter Kyle Stowers.
Ke’Bryan Hayes helped produce the Pirates’ first run in the second inning on a double steal when he swiped second base and Henry Davis raced home to score on a throwing error.
Adam Frazier drove in an insurance run on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth.
Hernandez, Norby and Nick Fortes each had two hits to lead the Marlins.
Pirates closer David Bednar picked up his ninth save after working a perfect ninth.
The Pirates recalled right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday and optioned right-hander Kyle Nicolas.
–Field Level Media
