MIAMI-. Oneil Cruz ran home on Jason Delay’s bunt in the tenth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates They beat the 9-7 on Sunday Miami Marlins to sweep their season-opening series in four games.
Cruz led off the 10th at second as a pinch runner for Rowdy Tellez. He advanced to third when reliever Tanner Scott (0-1) made an error on Alika Williams’ sacrifice attempt.
Delay then sent another bunt toward first and Cruz beat first baseman Jake Burger’s throw to the plate. Ke’Bryan Hayes reached on a two-out infield single and Michael A. Taylor gave Pittsburgh a 9-7 lead with a bases-loaded walk.
Miami had runners on the corners with no outs in the bottom half. But Hunter Stratton retired Burger, Bryan De La Cruz and Jazz Chisholm Jr. for his first save.
Miami trailed 7-6 before Nick Gordon hit a pinch-hit home run off Pirates closer David Bednar (1-0) in the ninth inning.
Téllez hit a three-run shot for the Pirates, who last opened the season with a four-game road sweep in 1903.
Chisholm hit a grand slam and Avisaíl García also shot deep for Miami.
In the top of the eighth, two spectators ran to center field and attempted to hand an object to Chisholm before being stopped and removed by stadium security.
Miami was the last major league team without a home run before Chisholm’s drive capped a five-run first off Bailey Falter.
Pittsburgh responded with three runs in the second, highlighted by Williams’ two-run triple.
Hayes added an RBI single in the fourth, but Garcia made the score 6-4 when he singled to center field in the bottom half.
Tellez struck out in his first three at-bats, but delivered a big hit in the seventh. His three-run hit off Vladimir Gutiérrez gave the Pirates a 7-6 lead.
Marlins starter Trevor Rogers completed five four-run innings in his first appearance since April 19, 2023. Rogers, who missed most of last season with a left biceps strain, allowed seven hits. , walked four and struck out six.
Falter was lifted after four innings. The left-hander allowed six runs and five hits.
Marlins without victory
The Miami Marlins were swept in the first week of the season, this can be seen as cause for alarm. However, the team responded offensively. Hitters like Avisaíl García, who was “out of shape” hit a huge home run.
In the Opening match they took the game to extra innings, until the Pirates resolved in the 12th inning and lost 6-5. Then on Saturday they were defeated 7-2, before a ruthless attack by the buccaneers. Now, in the third and final match, they lose again by a hair’s breadth.
Marlins need to find the formula in pitching. So far the only starter without complications is Jesús Luzardo, well AJ. Puk and Trevor Rogers were punished.
There is an opportunity for manager Skip Schumaker to study what needs to be resolved to achieve the first victory of the year.
Source: With information from AP
