As a frequently recurring catchphrase goes, it was going well—until it wasn’t.
After three straight victories, the Pirates dropped the final game of the series against the Marlins 3-1 on Sunday afternoon at PNC Park. A costly error (on the Bucs’ part) plus a solid pitching performance (not on the Bucs’ part) were key factors in the brooms being put away.
The game started on a positive note for the Pirates in the bottom of the first inning, with Adam Frazier reaching on a Jesus Aguilar error and Ke’Bryan Hayes singling off Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara. Bryan Reynolds advanced Frazier even though he hit into a double play, and Colin Moran, in his first at-bat since his injury in early May, doubled Frazier home for a 1-0 Bucs lead.