The Pittsburgh Pirates dropped a 4-2 decision to the Miami Marlins on Sunday night at PNC Park, a loss that extended the club’s skid to six consecutive starts by ace Paul Skenes.
Early fireworks
Miami struck first, plating two solo home runs in the second inning to take an early lead. The outburst set the tone for a game that would see the Marlins build momentum early and never look back.
The Pirates answered in the fourth when Jake Mangum delivered an RBI single, driving in the team’s only run of the night and narrowing the gap to one.
Marlins extend the lead
Miami answered back in the eighth with a flurry of four straight hits, pushing the lead to three runs and forcing the Pirates into a catch‑up mode that would prove futile.
Max Meyer, the Marlins’ starter, turned in a solid six‑inning effort, allowing just one run while striking out several batters. His performance earned him the player‑of‑the‑game award.
Late rally
Bryan Reynolds sparked a late rally with a 422‑foot home run in the ninth inning, cutting the deficit to one. The blast also extended his on‑base streak to 21 games, underscoring his consistency at the plate.
The Pirates added a 49th home run at PNC Park this season, but went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base, highlighting the team’s struggle to capitalize on opportunities.
What it means
The loss not only deepened the Pirates’ six‑game skid in Skenes’ starts but also reinforced the Marlins’ ability to close out tight contests. For Pittsburgh, the focus shifts to breaking the streak and finding ways to convert scoring chances in upcoming games.