Oneil Cruz dashed home on Jason Delay’s bunt in the 10th inning, securing a 9-7 victory for the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Miami Marlins on Sunday, completing a sweep of their four-game series to start the season.
Cruz, serving as a pinch runner for Rowdy Tellez, began the 10th inning on second base. He advanced to third when reliever Tanner Scott (0-1) committed an error on Alika Williams’ sacrifice attempt.
Delay then sent another bunt toward first, and Cruz beat first baseman Jake Burger’s throw to the plate. Ke’Bryan Hayes reached on a two-out infield single, and Michael A. Taylor gave Pittsburgh a 9-7 lead with a bases-loaded walk.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton commented on the strategy, saying, “Alika got a bunt down in a situation where you normally don’t bunt. Not too many teams can deploy a weapon like we were able to with Oneil being there, and we wanted to get him to third.”
Miami threatened in the bottom half of the inning with runners on the corners and no outs. However, Hunter Stratton retired Burger, Bryan De La Cruz, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. for his first career save.
Stratton said, “I just tried to keep everything the same. Just kept it simple.” The Pirates’ bullpen was solid throughout the series, allowing only two runs over 20 1/3 innings. Miami trailed 7-6 before Nick Gordon’s pinch-hit homer against Pirates closer David Bednar (1-0) in the ninth inning.
Tellez’s three-run homer contributed to the Pirates’ success, marking their first four-game sweep on the road since 1903. Delay emphasized the importance of confidence in baseball, stating, “Confidence is huge in baseball. We’re feeling good right now, and we’re going to try to ride it some more.”
Chisholm hit a grand slam and Avisaíl García also homered for Miami. In the eighth inning, two spectators ran into center field, attempting to take a picture with Chisholm, before they were detained and removed by stadium security.
Miami started strong with Chisholm’s grand slam, but Pittsburgh responded with three runs in the second inning, highlighted by Williams’ two-run triple. Although García narrowed the lead with a solo homer, Tellez’s three-run drive in the seventh inning gave the Pirates a 7-6 lead.
