Miami

Marlins Open Big Series in Pittsburgh With Win

The Marlins beat the Pirates on Friday to open a crucial three-game series

The Miami Marlins scored three late runs to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-5 on Friday.

Robert Andino's run-scoring single in the ninth inning finished off Miami's successful comeback. The run put Miami ahead after the team had trailed by two runs an inning earlier. Fernando Rodney would pick up the save in the ninth to preserve the big win.

Miami led the game by a run when the bottom of the seventh inning began and headed into the eighth down by two runs. Bullpen meltdowns have been a constant for Miami as of late, as it tries to stay in playoff contention. The offense was able to make up for the problems in this one however.

With the Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals both ahead of Miami in the Wild Card race, this is a pivotal series. The Marlins entered Friday's game trailing the Pirates by 1.5 games. That deficit is now down to a half game with two left to play in the series.

Tom Koehler pitched well in his six innings on Friday. Koehler allowed two runs on eight hits while striking out a pair. The right-hander was in-line for a win until Dustin McGowan blew the lead in the seventh inning. Koehler ended up a no-decision and remained 9-8 this season.

McGowan threw the ball away with runners on first and second which allowed the tying run to score. The reliever ended up allowing a hit, a walk and three runs without retiring a single batter. McGowan was also charged with an error for his throw that sailed by third base.

The relief effort did not go much better after McGowan as Kyle Barraclough struggled as well. Barraclough allowed both of his inherited runners to score which were added to McGowan's line.

Before the pen problems, Miami got on the scoreboard with a pair of home runs. J.T. Realmuto (6) and Christian Yelich (14) each hit a homer during the win. Miguel Rojas would add his first home run of the year in the eighth to cut the deficit in half. Yelich then followed with a run-scoring single to tie the game.

David Phelps will take the mound on Saturday as the Marlins look to make it two wins in a row.

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