The Pittsburgh Pirates made history with a thrilling 9-7 victory over the Miami Marlins on Sunday, completing a four-game sweep of their season-opening series. The game went into extra innings, with Oneil Cruz scoring the winning run on Jason Delay’s bunt in the 10th inning.
The Pirates’ bullpen was solid throughout the series, allowing just two runs over 20 innings. Rowdy Tellez was a standout player for Pittsburgh, hitting a crucial three-run home run in the seventh inning to give his team a 7-6 lead.
Despite a late rally by the Marlins, including a pinch-hit homer by Nick Gordon in the ninth inning, the Pirates held on for the win. Hunter Stratton closed out the game, earning his first career save.
In addition to Tellez’s heroics, Ke’Bryan Hayes and Michael A. Taylor also contributed to the Pirates’ offensive efforts. Miami’s Jazz Chisholm hit a grand slam, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Pittsburgh’s strong performance.
The game was not without its share of drama, as two spectators ran onto the field in the eighth inning in an attempt to take a picture with Chisholm before being removed by security.
Overall, the Pirates showed resilience and determination in their series against the Marlins, setting a positive tone for the rest of the season. With new additions like Marco Gonzales set to make their debut in the upcoming series against the Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh fans have reason to be excited for what’s to come.