Marlins 5, Pirates 2
MIAMI - Left-hander Brad Hand pitched eight strong innings, and second baseman Dee Gordon stole four bases and scored two runs, leading the Miami Marlins to a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.
Hand (4-3) walked none and scattered nine hits, striking out five and allowing two runs. Gordon's steals tied his career high, and first baseman Justin Bour added a pair of run-scoring doubles.
After Hand allowed two consecutive hits to lead off the ninth, closer A.J. Ramos entered and recorded his 22nd save of the season. Ramos allowed only one of his inherited runners to score.
The Marlins (51-75), who have one of the three worst records in the majors, snapped a four-game losing streak with the help of aggressive baserunning.
In addition to Gordon's steals, the Marlins consistently went for the extra base, accumulating five doubles, one triple and going from first to third on singles. They were also thrown out twice at third base and once on a run-down between third and home.
Hand shut down the Pirates (75-49), who have the second-best record in the majors. Pirates right-hander Charlie Morton (8-5) took the loss, allowing eight hits and five runs, four earned. The Pirates had won each of his past five starts.
Pittsburgh opened the scoring with a run in the first. Center fielder Andrew McCutchen crushed a two-out double that bounced off the wall in left field and scored on a single to right by third baseman Aramis Ramirez.
Pirates outfielder Starling Marte got an odd assist in the third. Marlins shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria doubled down the third-base line. Marte, apparently thinking the ball was foul, walked to retrieve it while Hechavarria ran full force toward third. Marte's throw to third, however, beat Hechavarria.
Miami tied the score 1-1 in the fourth on a two-out RBI double by Bour, who hit a 3-2 curveball. That scored Gordon, who led off the inning with an infield single, stole second and trotted home from third on Bour's hit.
Left fielder Christian Yelich singled to lead off the fifth, and it was his daring baserunning that helped give the Marlins a 2-1 lead. After catcher J.T. Realmuto singled up the middle, Yelich challenged McCutchen by running toward third. McCutchen, in his haste, had the ball roll off his glove, and Yelich scored.
The Marlins added three runs in the sixth with RBI doubles by third baseman Martin Prado, Bour and Yelich.
Pittsburgh closed the scoring with one run in the ninth on a run-scoring groundout by pinch-hitter Pedro Alvarez.
NOTES: Marlins All-Star RF Giancarlo Stanton (fractured left hand) said he is "about a week and a half" away from returning. ... Pirates 1B Michael Morse, who was traded by the Marlins last month, got his first start of the series Tuesday. ... Pirates RHP A.J. Burnett (right elbow) pitched two innings of a simulated game Tuesday and is scheduled to pitch three innings in a simulated game Sunday. ... Marlins LF Christian Yelich (right knee contusion) was activated from the 15-day disabled list. ... Marlins RHP Kendry Flores was placed on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Aug. 22, because of right shoulder tendinitis. ... Marlins RHP Jose Urena (bruised left knee) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday and live batting practice Saturday. ... Marlins RHP Jarred Cosart (vertigo) will throw about 70 pitches in a rehab game at Class A Jupiter on Thursday.