Pirates top Marlins 5-2 on June 11, 2025, as Andrew McCutchen's 3-run HR and Henry Davis's steal of home lead the charge. Recap the thrilling win!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a night of beautiful baseball chaos at PNC Park, where the Pirates blended veteran thunder with youthful lightning to secure a 5-2 victory over the Miami Marlins. While a three-run blast from Andrew McCutchen provided the winning margin, the game's most audacious moment came early, when Henry Davis boldly swiped home on a gutsy double steal, setting an aggressive tone the Bucs rode all night.
Henry Davis stole home. That's the tweet. The aggressive baserunning in the 2nd inning set the tone for the entire night.
The game's defining sequence began with a spark of pure audacity in the second inning. With Ke'Bryan Hayes on first, the Pirates perfectly executed a double steal, with Hayes taking second and Henry Davis charging down the third-base line to slide in safely at home for the game's first run. It was a play that electrified the crowd and signaled a clear game plan. The veteran presence then took over, as Andrew McCutchen broke the game open with a towering three-run homer, his 6th of the season. Bailey Falter was solid on the mound, navigating 5.1 innings to earn the win, while Adam Frazier chipped in with a late sacrifice fly to cap the scoring. The defense was clean, and the execution was sharp—a complete team win.
One of the most encouraging signs for the Pirates' immediate future is the emergence of Braxton Ashcraft. The rookie reliever has been a revelation since his call-up, extending his career-opening scoreless streak to six innings. Armed with a fastball averaging 96.8 mph and a knack for inducing groundballs (53.3% rate), Ashcraft is providing a desperately needed steady hand in the bullpen. After years of injury setbacks, his powerful start is a massive win for both the player and the organization.
The good news on the pitching front extends to the farm. While top prospect Bubba Chandler continues his development, Hunter Barco is making an undeniable case for a call-up. Since his promotion to Triple-A Indianapolis, Barco has been virtually unhittable, posting a minuscule 1.08 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 33.1 innings. On the position player side, shortstop prospect Jack Brannigan is making strides, embracing new technology to refine his hitting with an eye on becoming the future at the position. These developments, along with the low-risk re-signing of Tanner Rainey to a minor league deal, show the organization is focused on building sustainable depth from within.
Tonight's win was a perfect snapshot of what this Pirates team can be: savvy veterans leading the way, athletic young players creating chaos, and a new wave of talent starting to make its mark. With promising arms like Ashcraft stabilizing the bullpen and Barco waiting in the wings, the future feels a little brighter. Now, the key is to bottle this energy and build on it for the rest of the series and beyond.
