Phelps, Marlins shut down Pirates
PITTSBURGH -- David Phelps pitched six strong innings and Xavier Scruggs hit his first major league home run as the Miami Marlins beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1 Saturday at sold-out PNC Park.
The Marlins, who clinched a weekend series win, moved a half-game ahead of the Pirates as the two clubs push to try to displace St. Louis, which holds the second National League wild-card spot.
Pittsburgh, which was held to four hits, has lost two in a row after a four-game winning streak.
Phelps (6-7) pitched six shutout innings, limiting the Pirates to two hits, striking out nine and walking two as he faced just two batters over the minimum. After giving up a single to the game's first hitter, Josh Harrison -- who was erased by a double play -- Phelps set down 13 batters in a row. He struck out five of six at one point, including striking out the side in the third.
Fernando Rodney pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 23rd save.
Chad Kuhl (3-1) was making his seventh major league start, and Pittsburgh had not lost with him on the mound. He picked up his first career loss, pitching six innings, giving up two earned runs (three total) on six hits, with no walks or strikeouts. One of those hits was Xavier Scruggs' first career homer, a two-run shot in the fourth.
Miami took a 1-0 lead with an unearned run in the third. After Miguel Rojas singled to left, Phelps reached on what originally was a putout from right fielder Gregory Polanco to first, but a review ruled Phelps safe. Dee Gordon followed with a fly to center that Andrew McCutchen bobbled for an error, allowing Rojas to score.
Martin Prado reached on a fielder's choice, moving Phelps to third, but Kuhl got Christian Yelich to ground into a double play.
The Marlins upped their lead to 3-0 in the fourth. With two out, Ichiro Suzuki doubled to the right-field corner, and Scruggs followed with a shot into the left field bleachers.
Pittsburgh foiled Miami's shutout bid in the eighth when Jordy Mercer doubled off the wall in right with one out and, an out later, scored on Josh Harrison's base hit to center to make it 3-1.
NOTES: Pittsburgh placed 3B Jung Ho Kang on the 15-day disabled list because of a left shoulder injury he got Friday sliding head-first into third in the eighth. He is expected to miss two to four weeks. ... The Pirates recalled 1B/OF Josh Bell from Triple-A Indianapolis. ... OF Robert Andino, who drove in the winning run Friday, was out of the Miami lineup Saturday as RF Ichiro Suzuki slotted back in after a day off from starting. ... Pirates RHP Tyler Glasnow (right shoulder discomfort) came through a Friday side session fine, manager Clint Hurdle said. The next step is a rehab start, but where and when remain undetermined. ... Pittsburgh C Chris Stewart (left knee discomfort) was 1-for-8 with four walks and an RBI in his first four rehab games with Double-A Altoona. ... RHP Mitch Keller on Friday allowed two hits in seven scoreless innings for Class A West Virginia, extending his scoreless streak to 18 innings. ... LF Starling Marte threw out Miami C J.T. Realmuto at the plate Friday for his 15th outfield assist. He led the NL with 16 last season, making him the first Pittsburgh outfielder with 30 or more assists over two seasons since Dave Parker in 1977-78.