Brad Hand nearly gave the Miami Marlins their first complete game in over a year in their 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.
Hand went out for the eighth inning but was lifted after giving up two hits. The Marlins have not had a complete game since June 3rd, 2014. That is now a stretch of 190 games after Hand's near miss in this one.
While it was incomplete, Hand still posted a fantastic line for the day. The left-hander allowed two runs on nine hits in the eight frames. Hand struck out five and walked none which was a great sign for a pitcher who struggled with control earlier in his career. Hand is now 4-3 on the year while splitting time between the rotation and bullpen.
When Hand was lifted, manager Dan Jennings turned to A.J. Ramos. The closer was entering a save situation as the tying run was on deck. Ramos would give up a single of his own to load the bases. The closer would end up giving up a run on a ground out before earning his 22nd save of the season.
Adeiny Hechavarria had a great day with a double and a triple. Doubles were a common theme for Miami in the win as Martin Prado, Christian Yelich and Justin Bour also had two-base hits. Bour doubled twice while Yelich also singled in his return from the disabled list.
Dee Gordon swiped four bases to give him 45 steals on the year. The electrifying second baseman also had two hits and two runs scored. Gordon is now hitting .333 on the season.
Chris Narveson will take the ball on Wednesday as he makes a spot start. Kendry Flores was originally slated to make this start, but has since gone on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis.
