Braxton Ashcraft delivered one of the most dominant pitching performances of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ season Thursday night, throwing a complete game three hitter as the Pirates crushed the Miami Marlins 13-1.
Ashcraft struck out 10 and walked only one in an efficient 85-pitch outing, helping Pittsburgh snap a three game losing streak. The right-hander was nearly perfect through eight innings and became the first Pirates pitcher to throw a nine-inning complete game since Mitch Keller accomplished the feat against the Los Angeles Angels on May 26, 2024.
Ashcraft also became the first Pittsburgh pitcher to complete a game while throwing fewer than 100 pitches since Ivan Nova did so against the Marlins on April 29, 2017.
The Pirates gave Ashcraft plenty of run support, with Rafael Flores blasting two three-run homers and Jared Triolo and Jacob Gonzalez also going deep.
Jake Mangum provided a spark at the top of Pittsburgh’s lineup, going 3 for 4 with three runs scored. Nick Gonzales added a walk and two singles, increasing his major league leading total of multi-hit games to 48.
Pittsburgh broke through against Miami starter Tyler Phillips in the fifth inning. Mangum opened the inning with a triple and came home when Phillips was charged with a balk. Triolo followed with his second homer of the season to give the Pirates a 2-0 advantage.
Triolo finished 3 for 4 with three RBIs and three runs scored. His home run was initially challenged by the Marlins, who argued that the ball bounced off and over the wall rather than clearing center fielder Jakob Marsee’s glove. A video review confirmed the home run.
The Pirates continued to pull away in the sixth. Reliever Cade Gibson entered with two runners on and walked Gonzalez before hitting Mangum with the bases loaded. Triolo then delivered a two-run single, extending Pittsburgh’s advantage to 5-0.
Flores broke the game wide open in the eighth inning, launching a three-run homer off reliever John King.
Miami used position player Javier Sanoja to pitch the ninth, and Pittsburgh took advantage. Gonzalez launched a two run homer before Flores followed with his second three run blast of the night, completing the Pirates’ offensive outburst.
Phillips was charged with four runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out six.
Ashcraft’s bid for a shutout ended when Owen Caissie led off the ninth inning with a home run. It was the only blemish on an otherwise remarkable night for the Pittsburgh starter.
The right-hander also benefited from three double plays as Pittsburgh’s defense helped him work efficiently throughout the game.
For the Marlins, the loss marked another difficult night as their offense struggled to generate opportunities against Ashcraft. Miami managed only three hits before Caissie’s ninth-inning homer.
The Pirates open a three game home series against the Boston Red Sox on Friday. Pittsburgh will send right-hander Bubba Chandler (5-8, 4.26 ERA) to the mound, while Boston is scheduled to start left-hander Jake Bennett (7-5, 3.17 ERA).
The Marlins will begin a three game road series against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. Miami will turn to right hander Sandy Alcantara (13-6, 3.52 ERA), while Cincinnati will counter with right-hander Chase Burns (13-2, 2.61 ERA).
For Pittsburgh, Thursday’s win was powered by an overpowering performance from Ashcraft and an offensive explosion that gave the Pirates a much needed victory. For Miami, it was a night to forget as the Marlins were overwhelmed from the mound and at the plate.
