MIA 5, PIT 4; Cooper stars as Marlins prevail in extras Tuesday night

Miguel Rojas belted a two-out, game-tying solo homer in the ninth, and Garrett Cooper followed with what would be a game-winning solo homer in the 10th as the Miami Marlins rallied over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night to win 5-4 at PNC Park in the opener of a three-game series.

Sandy Alcantara pitched great for the most part, but had difficulty with Pirates leadoff man Adam Frazier. He ripped a solo homer to center in the first to put the home team in front, then delivered a two-out, two-run single to tie things up in the fifth, 3-3. Overall, Alcantara allowed four earned runs in seven innings of mound work (though the fifth-inning rally was set up by a Starlin Castro defensive misplay and the final of those runs came across after a pitching change).

The Marlins scored all of their runs off Pittsburgh relievers after right-hander Mitch Keller left with two outs in the second. The rookie took a 106 mile-per-hour Cooper line drive off his wrist.

Keller is considered day-to-day with a right wright contusion.

In the third, Cooper reached on a throwing error from third baseman Colin Moran, bringing home Jon Berti and Starlin Castro to put the Marlins in front, 2-1.

The Rojas home run in the top of the ninth came against feared Pirates closer Felipe Vázquez. It was the fastest pitch on record—since at least 2008—that any Marlin has homered on, according to David Adler of MLB.com.

In the home half of the ninth, right-handed reliever Tyler Kinley walked back-to-back hitters with two down, resulting in left-hander Adam Conley entering to secure the final out. Conley allowed a single to the shortstop, but Pablo Reyes was thrown out at home plate, sending the ballgame to extras.

Seemingly emerging for an extended slump, Cooper’s game-winning solo blast went to the deepest part of the ballpark.

José Ureña would notch his first career save after tossing a clean, 15-pitch tenth.

The Marlins, at 49-88, hope to nail down a series win Wednesday night, welcoming right-hander Robert Dugger to the hill. Dugger’s second major league outing was phenomenal, wherein he gave up just two unearned runs in seven frames vs. Cincinnati on August 29. Right-hander Trevor Williams will face the Marlins for the first time since 2017. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. ET.

Marlins vs. Pirates box score (Baseball Theater)

Fish Picks answer key:

1. Pirates
2. Under (Sandy maxed out at 98.0 mph)
3. Over
4. Nope
5. Marlins