Pirates at Marlins
Having squandered a chance to win back-to-back games for the first time this season, the Miami Marlins will try to rebound from a heartbreaking loss when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday in the finale of a three-game set. Miami has limited the National League Central-leading Pirates to three runs in two games as it vies for its first series win of 2018.
The Marlins wasted a masterful pitching performance by Trevor Richards when Pittsburgh sandwiched a pair of bunts - the latter one popped up - around a single to produce the only run in the ninth inning of a 1-0 victory. Starlin Castro went 2-for-4 and has hit safely in 12 of 14 games for Miami, which has lost eight of 10 and is anchored at the bottom of the NL East. Corey Dickerson extended his hitting streak to nine games with the pop-up bunt to drive in the winning run and boost his RBI total to 10. Pittsburgh's Ivan Nova looks to remain perfect against Miami when he opposes fellow right-hander Jose Urena in the rubber game of the series.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, FS Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Ivan Nova (1-1, 5.19 ERA) vs. Marlins RH José Ureña (0-2, 5.06)
It took Nova three starts to crack the win column after he went seven innings and permitted three runs on seven hits while striking out six to beat the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The 31-year-old Dominican had a solid outing in his season debut with five innings of two-run ball at Detroit, but was tagged for five runs in 5 1/3 innings in a loss to Minnesota. Nova is 2-0 against Miami and has not allowed a run in 15 innings.
Urena has run into early trouble in two of his first three starts - all at home - and lost both of them, giving up three first-inning runs against the Cubs in his season debut and falling into a 3-0 hole last time out versus the New York Mets. He had to settle for a no-decision against Boston on April 3 despite seven stellar innings of one-run ball. Gregory Polanco is 3-for-6 off Urena, who is 1-1 with a 7.31 ERA versus Pittsburgh.
WALK-OFFS
1. Marlins RHP Dan Straily said he felt "great" after Friday's rehab start and he will make another Wednesday.
2. Pirates RHP Felipe Vazquez is 5-for-5 in save opportunities.
3. Marlins C J.T. Realmuto (back) homered in his first at bat at Class A Jupiter on Saturday.