Pirates Beat Marlins, 3-2, Win Third In A Row
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) -- Pirates starting pitcher Brad Lincoln gave the Pirates a solid spot start Monday at Miami.
He pitched six innings, allowing just two runs on six hits, and Pittsburgh won, 3-2. He threw 80 pitches, which was more than he expected to toss.
The win is the Pirates third in a row -- their first three-game winning streak of the season. In turn, they closed to within a game of .500 with a 17-18 record.
Erik Bedard was scheduled to start Monday's game, but he suffered back spasms last Wednesday and was forced to miss a start while he recovers.
Lincoln, who has been valuable out of the bullpen to start the season in long relief situations, continued his consistent success.
Most importantly, Lincoln ate up innings, limited Miami's runs and helped out a depleted bullpen.
Jose Tabata doubled to lead off the first inning and was driven in by Andrew McCutchen two batters later. The Marlins answered in the bottom of the first, as Hanley Ramirez blasted a solo home run to left field to tie the game, 1-1.
Rod Barajas responded with a solo shot of his own in the top of the second to put the Buccos back on top, 2-1, and that lead held until the bottom of the fourth when Emilio Bonifacio singled to center, scoring Logan Morrison.
The Pirates had an answer, though, as they never trailed. After a single to left field by McCutchen in the sixth, Pedro Alvarez hit a double to the gap in left-center field. It drove home McCutchen, which proved to be the winning run.
Jared Hughes and Jason Grilli each pitched a scoreless inning of relief, setting up Joel Hanrahan to earn his seventh save of the season.
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