The Pittsburgh Pirates entered their final series against the Miami Marlins with a chance to avoid a sweep, a prospect that seemed likely after dropping the first two games.
Right‑hander Braxton Ashcraft took the mound and delivered a complete‑game effort, limiting the Marlins to four runs while striking out eight batters.
A Pitcher's Dual Threat
But it was his bat that turned the tide, as a timely single in the eighth inning sparked a two‑run rally that put the Pirates ahead 5‑4.
The Marlins' bullpen answered with a flurry of pitches in the ninth, but a timely double play and a groundout sealed the victory for Pittsburgh.
Ashcraft's dual contribution underscored his growing importance to the clubhouse, illustrating how a pitcher can also impact the lineup when the game demands it.