Marlins vs Pirates Recap: Heroic Hernandez, Late Power Push

The Miami Marlins came to Pittsburgh hungry. They'd beaten the Pirates 8-3 the night before and were riding a hot streak with their record at 36-36. The Pirates sat at the same record but had lost yesterday 2-3. Both teams needed this win badly. Heriberto Hernández stepped up against Pirates ace Paul Skenes in the second inning and launched a 96-mile-per-hour sinker deep to left center field. The ball sailed 403 feet and cleared the wall. One out later, Joe Mack crushed a changeup to center for another 424-foot homer. Miami jumped to a 2-0 lead before Pittsburgh even batted. The Marlins' bats were hungry and ready.

Pittsburgh's Max Meyer was sharp on the mound for Miami. He struck out nine Pirates and gave up just one run in six innings. But that one run came in the fourth inning when Jake Mangum singled to center field. Nick Gonzales scored from second base on that hit, making it 2-1. The Marlins' lead stayed slim. Miami's bullpen kept Pittsburgh quiet through the middle innings. The Pirates couldn't get their bats going against Miami's pitching. Bryan Reynolds, their best hitter, was held quiet so far. Pittsburgh needed something big to catch up. The game was tight, and Miami was protecting that 2-1 lead with everything they had.

The eighth inning exploded. Kyle Stowers ripped a single to center and Liam Hicks raced home. That made it 3-1 Marlins. Right after, Xavier Edwards drove another single to center. Otto Lopez sprinted home from third base. Miami led 4-1 and looked like they might run away with it. But Pittsburgh wasn't done. In the bottom of the ninth, Bryan Reynolds smashed a solo homer to center field off closer Pete Fairbanks. The ball flew 422 feet and it was 4-2. The Pirates pushed but couldn't catch up. Miami held firm and won 4-2. The Marlins stayed at 36-36. Pittsburgh fell to 36-36 and lost their second straight game.