Andrew McCutchen etched his name even deeper into Pirates lore on Wednesday night, launching a milestone three-run home run that powered Pittsburgh to a 5-2 victory over the Miami Marlins at PNC Park.
McCutchen’s fifth-inning blast to left-center off Miami starter Cal Quantrill was his sixth of the season and 241st in a Pirates uniform, moving him past Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente for sole possession of third place on the franchise’s all-time home run list. Only legends Willie Stargell (475) and Ralph Kiner (301) remain ahead of the 37-year-old outfielder.
“It’s humbling,” McCutchen said postgame. “To even be mentioned in the same breath as someone like Roberto Clemente is something I never imagined when I first came up. But I’m not done yet.”
The homer capped a four-run lead for Pittsburgh, who had scratched across the game’s first run in the second inning on a throwing error by Marlins catcher Nick Fortes.
The win sealed a series victory for the Pirates, who took two of three and closed a successful homestand at 6-3. It also sent Miami to its eighth loss in 10 games as the Marlins continue to struggle near the bottom of the National League standings.
Left-hander Bailey Falter (5-3) was once again steady on the mound, giving up just one run on five hits across 5 1/3 innings. The only blemish came on rookie Heriberto Hernandez’s first career home run, a solo shot in the sixth.
Since the beginning of May, Falter has been on a roll, going 4-0 with a stellar 1.61 ERA across eight starts.
David Bednar closed the door with a clean ninth for his ninth save in as many chances, a remarkable turnaround after blowing seven save opportunities last season. His perfect record in 2025 has anchored a much-improved Pirates bullpen.
The key moment came in the top of the fifth inning when the Marlins, trailing just 1-0, loaded the bases with one out. But rookie Augustin Ramirez lined out sharply to right field to end the inning, halting Miami’s best chance at a breakthrough.
Quantrill (3-7), who has now dropped three straight starts, allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits with six strikeouts in five innings of work. He was victimized by McCutchen’s homer and the Fortes error, but limited the damage otherwise.
Miami got two hits apiece from Hernandez, Fortes, and Connor Norby, while Ke’Bryan Hayes paced the Pirates offense with a pair of hits of his own.
The Pirates now hit the road to begin a four-game series at Wrigley Field against the Cubs on Thursday night. Left-hander Andrew Heaney (3-4, 3.24 ERA) will start the opener for Pittsburgh, while the Cubs have yet to announce their starter.
The Marlins have a travel day Thursday before beginning a three-game series in Washington against the Nationals. Edward Cabrera (2-2, 3.99 ERA) will take the hill for Miami.
David Bednar is now 9-for-9 in save opportunities this season, a flawless mark after converting just 23 of 30 in 2024. Augustin Ramirez’s lineout with the bases loaded in the fifth inning prevented the Marlins from seizing momentum and turned into a turning point before McCutchen’s game-breaking homer.
