North Shore Nine

The Pittsburgh Pirates came back to beat the Miami Marlins 6-5, going to 1-0 on the season. A series of errors and miscues cost Mitch Keller the chance at a win in the season opener. Jared Triolo had an error that ended up costing two runs, though it should have been an out. This was quickly erased by a Bryan Reynolds 2 run homerun. However in the following inning miscues by Connor Joe and Reynolds ended up costing another pair of runs on miscues.

The Pirates loaded the bases in both the 6th and the 7th, each time with one out, but only managed two tighten the score to 5-4. That lasted until the top of the 8th when Oneil Cruz opened up the inning with a home run to LF tying the game at 5 a piece. Pirates once again squandered a good thing, with men on 1st and 2nd and one out. Andrew McCutchen struck out on a few borderline calls and Henry Davis smoked a ball into a catch at 3B.
Adrolis Chapman came on for the 9th to pitch for the Pirates. He looked very good keeping the Marlins in check and bring the game to extra innings. A poor play by the 3B coach cost the Pirates a change in the top of the 10th. Davis was sent on a mild error at first base on the throw by Burger, and was thrown out by a mile. In the bottom of the frame, a circus stop by Connor Joe kept the Pirates from losing.

In the top of the 11th Joe lead off the inning, advancing the runner to 3rd base on a ground out. This was followed by yet another folly as Bell fielded the ball and 1st base and easily threw the runner out going home. Shelton challenged claiming the plate was blocked, but failed to win. In the bottom of the frame Luis Ortiz continued to show why he should be in the rotation, pitching once again out of a jam.

In the 12th, Cutch looked mismatched at the plate, Davis failed to run out what appeared to be potential line out. Cruz was smartly walked, then Triolo looped one into right field. This causes yet another comedy of errors, as the Pirate took the lead Triolo was caught trying to go to second, causing Cruz to run home, and easily being thrown out doing so.

Jose Hernadez came on to attempt to save it for the Pirates, earning a ground out in the first hitter faced. Josh Bell then came to the plate, grounding out to Hayes for the 2nd out. Bringing up De La Cruz with a man on 3rd and down a run with 2 outs, and inducing a fly out to right field.
Despite the Comedy of Errors and Miscues from the Pirates perseverance bled through and the Battling Buccos managed to pulled victory from the jaws of defeat.

The Pirates return to action tomorrow against the Miami Marlins. The game will be at 7:10 PM at LoanDepot Park in Sarasota FL. Martin Perez will pitch for the Pirates with A.J. Puk going for the Marlins.