PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 27: The Pittsburgh Pirates celebrate following a 6-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers during the game at PNC Park on April 27, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
Bullpen, homers help Pirates rally past Marlins in 12-inning opener
MIAMI, March 28 (UPI) — Jared Triolo sprayed a single just over the infield, scoring Ke’Bryan Hayes for the game-winning run in a 12-inning Pittsburgh Pirates opening day comeback triumph over the Miami Marlins on Thursday in Miami.
“I battled at the plate early and throughout the game,” the Pirates second baseman said. “It was good just to find some grass.”
The Pirates, who trailed 5-2 through six innings, came alive late offensively and used a dominant bullpen effort to secure the 6-5 victory at loanDepot park. Pirates relievers combined to allow just one hit and surrendered two walks and no runs over the final 6 1/3 innings.
Marlins second baseman Luis Arraez, winner of two-consecutive batting titles, went 0 for 6 for the first time in his career.
“This guy is one of the elite hitters in the game,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said of Arraez. “What that says is that, as good of a hitter as he is, our guys did a really good job of executing pitches to him.”
Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds went 2 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs in the victory. Shortstop Oneil Cruz and pinch hitter Edward Olivares also homered for the Pirates.
Marlins third baseman Jake Burger went 3 for 4 with three RBIs in the setback, which was played in front of 32,654 fans, the largest opening day attendance for the Marlins since 2016.
“Obviously we’ve got some things to clean up, but the presence of the fans was felt, for sure,” Burger said. “We felt that all the way through the end of the game. It was really exciting for us to have that type of support. We obviously have some things to iron out, but it’s 1 of 162 [games].”
Right fielder Jesus Sanchez brought in the first run of the night, when he hit the ball up the middle and reached base on a fielder’s choice. Fellow Marlins outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. scored on that play after Triolo dropped a catch at second base.
Two pitches later, Marlins shortstop Tim Anderson smacked an RBI double to right, scoring Burger for a 2-0 lead.
