Thursday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates lost their third-consecutive game to the Miami Marlins, falling 4-3 in extra innings.
But perhaps the biggest news from the game came with the injury report: Francisco Cervelli, Andrew McCutchen, David Freese and Jordy Mercer all left the game with various injuries. Cervelli injured his foot and left in the third inning, McCutchen left the game in the sixth inning with general thumb discomfort, Mercer was hit by a pitch on the elbow and left in the ninth inning, and Freese was hit by a pitch and exited the game (although it was unclear whether that was part of a double switch.)
As of now, there’s no indication whether roster moves will be made or whether any players will be placed on the disabled list.
The game reached its conclusion in the 12th inning. A.J. Schugel (1-2) earned the loss; he was one out away from completing his third inning of work. For most of the game, the Marlins led 3-0 against the Pirates — all those runs came off Pittsburgh starting pitcher Juan Nicasio, who pitched six innings Thursday night and allowed nine total base runners.
One run scored in the second inning when Miami’s Miguel Rojas Jr. hit a sac bunt, and the other two runs came an inning later when Giancarlo Stanton doubled and J.T. Realmuto hit a sac fly.
Marlins starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen had a no-hitter going through six innings, but it was broken up by a leadoff double from Jung Ho Kang in the seventh inning. Right after the double, Chen walked Chris Stewart, and the pitcher was pulled for Dustin McGowan.
McGowan got two quick outs before Matt Joyce doubled both runners in, cutting the Pirates’ deficit to one run. Marlins relief pitcher Kyle Barraclough tried to save the game in the ninth inning, but he suffered control issues. These miscues ended up costing him, and John Jaso’s two-out single on a 3-2 count tied the game.
Still, the Pirates couldn’t complete the comeback, falling in the bottom of the 12th inning.
Up next
The Pirates return to PNC Park on Friday night to face the Los Angeles Angels. In Game One, Pittsburgh’s Francisco Liriano (4-4, 4.63 ERA) will face Los Angeles’ Jared Weaver (4-4, 5.40 ERA).
Image credit: Mr. Schultz
