Braxton Ashcraft pitched a complete game and struck out 10 batters as the Pirates ended Miami’s four-game winning streak by defeating the host Marlins 13-1 on Thursday afternoon.
Owen Caissie spoiled Ashcraft’s attempt at a shutout by homering to lead off the ninth inning.
Still, other than the homer, Ashcraft (12-5) did not allow a runner past first base. He surrendered just three hits and one walk and was aided by his defense, as the Pirates turned three double plays and threw out a runner attempting to steal second base.
It was the longest — and likely the best — outing of Ashcraft’s career, who is in his second year in the majors and his first as a full-time starter.
Pittsburgh’s offense was led by Jared Triolo, Jake Mangum, Rafael Flores Jr. and Jacob Gonzalez.
Triolo went 3-for-4 with a homer, a walk, three RBIs and three runs scored. Mangum went 3-for-4 with a single, double and triple. He also drove in a run with a hit-by-pitch and scored three times, including once on a balk. Flores slugged a pair of three-run homers, including one off Marlins infielder Javier Sanoja. Gonzalez also homered off Sanoja.
Marlins starter Tyler Phillips (3-6) took the loss despite striking out six batters in 5 1/3 innings. However, he allowed six hits, one walk and four runs.
Pittsburgh opened the scoring in the fifth inning as Mangum got a first-pitch sweeper and drove it 354 feet to right-center. Right fielder Caissie made a diving attempt but came up empty as Mangum earned a triple. Mangum then scored on a balk.
The next batter, Triolo, got a 1-0 sinker and belted it 395 feet for a homer … but only after it bounced off the glove of center fielder Jakob Marsee for a 2-0 lead.
In the sixth, the Pirates loaded the bases with one out on two singles and a walk. The Pirates then cashed in when Mangum was hit by a pitch on his left foot for an RBI and Triolo made it 5-0 with a two-run ground-ball single through the left side of the infield.
Pittsburgh put the game away in the eighth as Mangum doubled, Triolo walked and Flores hit his first three-run homer.