MIAMI – Griffin Conine launched a home run, and Derek Hill crossed home plate due to a wild pitch, securing a dramatic 3-2 victory for the Florida Marlins over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.
Andrew McCutchen opened the scoring in the second inning with a leadoff homer, but the Marlins quickly responded. Nick Fortes hit an RBI double to left field, allowing Hill to score and tie the game 1-1 as the third inning commenced. This home run added to McCutchen’s impressive career, reaching 800 extra-base hits, placing him third among active players. Freddie Freeman and Paul Goldschmidt hold the top two spots with 885 and 833 extra-base hits, respectively.
Conine’s solo home run in the seventh inning once again evened the score at 2-2. His father, Jeff Conine, an iconic figure for the Marlins known as “Mr. Marlin,” played a crucial role in the team’s World Series victories in 1997 and 2003. Fittingly, Jeff Conine was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame earlier that day.
The Pirates managed to take the lead briefly when Isiah Kiner-Falefa sprinted out an infield single that brought in Endy Rodriguez. Rodriguez had walked to start the fifth inning, giving the Pirates a 2-1 advantage.
In a pivotal moment in the ninth inning, Miami’s Kyle Stowers made a remarkable running catch at the warning track, preventing Enmanuel Valdez from claiming extra bases and keeping the score tied at 2-2.
Derek Hill played a vital role in the decisive moment, reaching first on a walk to start the ninth inning. He then stole second base and advanced to third on an errant throw before scoring the winning run on a wild pitch thrown by David Bednar.
This victory marked the third walk-off win in the Marlins’ series against the Pirates, as they clinched their opening four-game set.
Looking ahead, the Marlins will send right-hander Cal Quantrill to the mound on Monday, opening a three-game series against the Mets in Miami. Meanwhile, the Pirates will start their road series against the Tampa Bay Rays with 26-year-old right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski making his season debut on the mound.