The Pittsburgh Pirates took three of four games with its 2-1 victory against the Miami Marlins Thursday.
This victory gives the Pirates 28 one-run victories on the season. Gerrit Cole [15-7] won his first game since July 26. The 7.1 innings he threw were a high in August starts.
Cole’s biggest obstacle came in the bottom of the third inning when Francisco Cervelli was ejected by home plate umpire Alan Porter. Cervelli disagreed with a pitch that was ruled a ball as it was ruled a strike to him.
Cervelli turned around to discuss the play with Porter. The umpire took exception and ejected Cervelli from the game. It was his second ejection of both his season and career.
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle talked to Porter and was made out saying “you let the players play” when discussing the ejection.
The Pirates scored their runs in the second and fourth innings. Prior to Cervelli’s departure from the game, he tripled in the second inning and scored on a Neil Walker sacrifice fly. Pedro Alvarez then hit a solo home run off Justin Nicolino [2-2]. It was his 21st of the season and third off a left-handed pitcher.
Cole’s lone blemish was a seventh inning Derek Dietrich sacrifice fly which scored Martin Prado.
J.T Realmuto led off the eighth inning with a ground ball knocked down by defensive replacement Sean Rodriguez. Rodriguez could not get a clean throw off and the play was ruled a single.
Two batters later Cole was taken out of the game and Tony Watson came in. Watson got Dee Gordon to strike out on a foul tip and induced a ground ball from Ichiro Suzuki. It was his major league-leading 33rd hold of the season.
Mark Melancon earned his 41st save after pitching the ninth inning. This allowed for him to pass Joel Hanrahan for third most saves in a single season.
The Pirates return home for a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies. Francisco Liriano [9-6 3.23 ERA] will face Jon Gray [0-0 5.94 ERA].
