— By Katie Mayock, Journalism Intern
Following their weekend series with the Nationals, the Pirates hosted the Miami Marlins for a three-game series from Sept. 9th-11th. The Pirates swept the last-place Marlins, earning them the season sweep of the Marlins as well.
In game one, on Monday, starting pitcher Paul Skenes allowed one earned run and struck out nine over six innings, bringing his season strikeout total to 151 to set a Pirates rookie record. CF Oneil Cruz hit a solo home run and LF Bryan Reynolds hit a two-run single and the Pirates won 3-2.
On Tuesday, DH Andrew McCutchen hit a three-run home run, his twentieth of the season, that would prove to be the difference in the 6-4 Pittsburgh win. It was a bullpen game for the Pirates, who used seven pitchers throughout the night. Aroldis Chapman earned the save despite giving up three hits and an earned run in the ninth.
In the final game of the series, on Wednesday afternoon, the Pirates offense scored three runs in the first two innings and starting pitcher Bailey Falter took a no-hitter into the seventh. The Marlins loaded the bases in the ninth, but only managed to score one run and the Pirates won 3-1 to finish the sweep of the Marlins.
Up next, the Pirates will remain at home to host the Kansas City Royals for a three-game series from Friday, Sept. 13th to Sunday, Sept. 15th. The Pirates are 70-76 and sit in last place in the NL Central with less than a month to go in the regular season.
