Marlins Rally to Beat Pirates 5-4 on Opening Day
The Miami Marlins played what was most likely their most thrilling Opening Day game ever on Thursday, as they came from behind to beat the Pirates in walk-off fashion. 2024 trade deadline acquisition Kyle Stowers drilled the walk-off hit, driving in Javier Sanoja after he pinch ran for Nick Fortes.
Before today, the Marlins had lost 9 of their last 10 season openers, with their only win coming against the Phillies back in 2020. This was also the first Opening Day walk-off win in Marlins franchise history.
The game started as anticipated, with both teams hitless through the first two frames against both of the respective top-notch pitchers. Miami got on the board in the 3rd inning, thanks to Derek Hill, who led off the inning with a double and was driven in on a force out by Xavier Edwards.
Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara was cruising through the first 4 2/3 innings until the Pirates got to him with a single, walk, walk, and single, all with 2 outs in the 5th inning.
That said, it was still a very solid outing for Sandy Alcantara, especially considering it was his first regular season start since September 2023.
Sandy’s final line: 4.2 IP, 2 hits, 2 earned runs, 4 walks, 7 strikeouts
Lake Bachar relieved Sandy with 2 outs in the 5th, striking out Oneil Cruz with a Sweeper. Bachar came back out for the 6th inning and allowed a 2-run homer to Nick Gonzales on a ball that was hit just 101 mph at a 23-degree launch angle. At this point, Pittsburgh’s win probability was up to 86.2%.
After Xavier Edwards and Kyle Stowers walked consecutively with 1 out in the 6th, manager Derek Shelton took the ball from Paul Skenes after 94 pitches.
Skenes’ final line: 5.1 IP, 3 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts
Dennis Santana entered the game for the Pirates and immediately walked Jonah Bride on 5 pitches to load the bases, and then a run came in for Miami on a passed ball. Santana then struck out Matt Mervis before walking Otto Lopez in an 8-pitch battle. The Pirates then brought in Ryan Borucki, who finished the inning by striking out Dane Myers in an at-bat where Myers thought he saw ball #4.
After George Soriano and Caleb Ferguson each tossed a hitless frame in the 7th, things got intense in the bottom of the 8th when Kyle Stowers led off the inning with a walk against Colin Holderman. Stowers advanced to second base on a grounder by Bride, and was then driven in on a huge line drive single by Otto Lopez to cut the deficit to just a run. The next at-bat, Dane Myers sliced a base hit into center, plating Otto Lopez from second and tying up the game at 4.
Following a scoreless top of the 9th inning from Jesus Tinoco, the Marlins were set up with a chance to walk it off against closer David Bednar. On the 5th pitch of the inning, Nick Fortes smacked a ball off the center field wall for a leadoff triple. With the winning run just 90 feet away, the Pirates elected to intentionally walk Xavier Edwards, in favor of facing Kyle Stowers with no outs. Stowers, a notoriously bad Fastball hitter, whiffed at the first two Fastballs from Bednar before lining a 96.4 mph Fastball down the right field line to win it for Miami!
Video courtesy of MLB.com
Biggest takeaway: Obviously, it’s only the first game, but the Marlins already look like a much-improved offense under their entirely new coaching staff. They did a great job working deep into counts against one of the best pitchers in the sport and several high-leverage relievers. Furthermore, 2 of the 7 walks drawn by the Marlins today came from the walk-off hero Kyle Stowers, who had an underwhelming 6.2% walk rate in 2024.
A look ahead: The Marlins will play three more games against the Pirates this weekend. Connor Gillispie will make his Marlins debut on Friday, followed by Valente Bellozo on Saturday, and Max Meyer on Sunday. The Marlins will then host the Mets for three games (Monday-Wednesday), before going on the road to Cobb County and Queens.
Image courtesy of @kevin_barral on X