MIAMI — Tony Watson was one strike away from a perfect eighth Wednesday night when his two-out, two-strike sinker rode up and in and smacked the Miami Marlins’ Derek Dietrich in the wrist.
Watson, the Pirates’ steady set-up man, seemed suddenly shaken. He started Adeiny Hechavarria with three balls in a row before the batter rocketed a full-count fastball to center field for a go-ahead double that drove in the deciding run in a 3-2 game at Marlins Park.
Hechavarria’s double was the first hit allowed by Watson (1-1) since May 7, and the first run charged to his ledger since April 27, a stretch of 11 outings.