Pirates-Marlins: Pittsburgh Completes Sweep of Florida

The Pirates relied on solid hitting from the top of the order and an effective bullpen to complete the three-game sweep of the Marlins, winning 7-4 today.

Adam LaRouch went 4-for-5 with a run and an RBI, and Paul Maholm improved to 3-0 with an adequate pitching performance. In the end, smart base running and good fundamental play were the difference.

Pittsburgh entered the game still looking for their first series sweep of the year. Their chances seemed pretty decent; up two games to none with Maholm taking the mound.

Ricky Nolasco (1-2, 6.686 ERA) was looking to turn things around on his young season. Nolasco is now responsible for half of the Marlins' losses, also losing to the Mets back on April 11.

Maholm came out throwing hard and the Marlins went in order in the first inning. The Buc top of the order continued to do well against the Marlins, with Sanchez reaching on a single and Nate McLouth at No. 3 in the order drawing a walk.

LaRouche came up next with a solid shot that bounced over the center field wall for a ground-rule double. If the ball had stayed in play, two runs would have scored. 

After the intentional walk to Brandon Moss to load the bases, LaRouche struck out. Speedy Jack Wilson followed with a hot grounder, but couldn't beat the throw to first.

The Marlins were lucky to get away only giving up one run. With 29 first inning pitches, it did not look like Nolaso would last long.

Maholm was hitting the strike zone well, setting the Marlins down 1-2-3 again in the second inning. In the bottom of the second, Nolaso seemed to get under control and the Pirtates went quietly.

It was more of the same in the third with the Marlins again going in order. The Pirate bats went back to work in the bottom of the third.

Nalosa started things off wrong, letting one get away and hitting Sanchez, who then stole second base. McClouth followed with a single to left, scoring Sanchez.

LaRouche followed with a single to right, moving McClouth to third. LaRouch went to second on a fielder's choice. A sacrifice by Andy LaRouch scored his brother from third for a 3-0 lead as the rain began to fall.

Jack Wilson then struck out to end the inning.

Florida was hoping to get things going with the top of the order coming up in the fourth against Maholm, who had been perfect through three.

Bonifacio started things off for the Marlins with a single to left. Jeremy Hermida quickly singled to right, moving him to second.

Bonifacio stole third on what looked like a third strike to Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez ended up hitting a roller for a force-out at second, and then the Pirates caught Bonifacio in a rundown between third and home.

Wes Helms then doubled to left, scoring Ramirez. Dan Uggla, on an 0-for-20 streak, grounded out to end the inning and the Pirates escaped with minimal damage after some good defense and a cool head by Maholm.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Pirates went in order. Maholm went back to work in the top of the fifth, getting the first two batters out before Cameron Maybin doubled to center.

Nolasco then tried to help, himself getting a hit and scoring Maybin from second. After a long at-bat, Bonifacio finally flied out to end the inning.

With the dangerous part of the order coming up in the bottom of the fifth, the Pirates were looking to put some runs up. Sanchez and McLouth failed to get aboard, but Adam LaRouche doubled to deep right.

Moss was once again intentionally walked to get to Andy LaRouche. The strategy did not pay off as LaRouche doubled to left, scoring his brother from second. Wilson then grounded out to end the inning.

In the top of the sixth, Maholm got into trouble again, walking the leadoff batter Hermida and giving up a single to Ramirez. Hermida then advanced on Helms' fly ball to right.

Ronny Paulino hurt his former teammates with a single to center, scoring Hermida. Cody Ross then doubled to deep right to tie the game up at four a piece.

Maybin flied out to end the inning, but not before the damage was done.

The Pirates decided to pinch hit for Maholm in the seventh inning after Jamillo grounded out to start the inning. Delwyn Young doubled to center, batting for Maholm.

Nyler Morgan followed with a single, scoring Young and advancing to second on the throw home. Morgan then stole third and scored on the bad pick-off throw to third.

Jesse Chaves started the seventh in relief of Maholm facing two batters before giving way to Sean Burnette to face the lefty Hermida who grounded out to end the inning.

Dan Meyer (2.84 ERA) came on in relief of Nolasco and gave up a leadoff double to Adam LaRouche, who was 4-for-5 on the day.

After getting Moss to pop out, Meyer was relieved by Kiko Calero (1.29 ERA) who faced a couple of right-handers coming in the order. Andy LaRouche flied out to right, advancing Adam to third before Calero came on to face a couple of right-handers coming up.

Moss then popped out before Wilson singled to center, scoring LaRouche. Calero retired Jaramillo to end the inning.

John Grabow came on in relief in the top of the eighth. After an infield hit by Ramirez, Grabow struck out the next three batters. 

Hayden Penn came on to pitch the ninth for the Marlins, giving up a hit and a stolen base to Morgan and a walk to McLouth.

Matt Capps pitched the ninth for the save.

The Pirates finished with seven runs on 10 hits. The Marlins had four runs on 10 hits and an error. The Marlins were outscored 18-6 in the series.

Pittsburgh (9-6) is now a half game back of first place in the NL Central.

The Marlins (11-4) return home to face the Phillies, while the Pirates start a six-game road trip against San Diego and Milwaukee .