Recap: Pittsburgh Pirates crush the Miami Marlins 10-3 on June 10. Bryan Reynolds' bases-clearing triple and 3-hit games from McCutchen fueled the win streak.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Is this what momentum feels like? The Pittsburgh Pirates are officially on a roll, extending their season-high winning streak to four games with an absolute shellacking of the Miami Marlins on Monday night. In a 10-3 victory, it wasn't just one hero; it was a total team effort that saw every single starter get a hit, reminding fans just how fun baseball in Pittsburgh can be when the bats are hot.
With Monday's win, the Pirates are now an impressive 20-8 against NL East teams at home since the start of the 2024 season.
The Pirates' offense was relentless from the jump, piling up 15 hits in a commanding performance. The big blow came in the third inning when Bryan Reynolds stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and ripped a triple to clear them, putting the Bucs ahead for good. But the contributions were widespread. Veterans Andrew McCutchen and Adam Frazier turned back the clock, each collecting three hits to pace the attack. On the mound, Mike Burrows gave the team a solid 4.1 innings, and reliever Caleb Ferguson was lights-out, earning the win with two perfect frames.
Amidst the offensive fireworks, a special story unfolded behind the plate. Catcher Brett Sullivan, just called up from Indianapolis on Saturday, made his Pirates debut and immediately made his presence felt. In the seventh inning, Sullivan delivered an RBI single for his first hit in a Pittsburgh uniform, a moment he'll never forget. He wasn't done, either, finishing the night with two RBIs and proving he could be a valuable piece of the puzzle moving forward.
While the team's overall 27-40 record isn't where anyone wants it to be, Monday's win highlighted a fascinating trend: the Pirates are dominant against the NL East at PNC Park. Their victory over Miami improved their home record against that division to a stunning 20-8 since the start of last season. It's a strange but encouraging statistic that shows this team can hang with, and beat, some of the league's best when they're playing in their own backyard.
The good vibes are flowing, but can they keep it going? The Pirates will look to make it five straight tonight as they send Mitch Keller (1-8, 4.13 ERA) to the mound against the Marlins' Sandy Alcantara. It's a chance to build on this momentum and continue climbing. First pitch is tonight at PNC Park. Let's Go Bucs!
