Behind a complete game from Braxton Ashcraft, the Pittsburgh Pirates not only avoided a sweep at the hands of the Miami Marlins, but also snapped a three-game losing streak on Thursday.
Ashcraft was magnificent, picking up his 12th win of the season while striking out 10 batters and needing just 85 pitches to get through the outing.
The lone blemish came on an Owen Caissie home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, when the game was already well out of hand.
While it took them until the third and final game of the series, the bats finally came alive, picking up 16 hits—four of which were home runs.
Jared Triolo, Rafael Flores (twice), and Jacob Gonzalez all went deep for the Pirates. With their quick three-game road trip over, they will now return home for series against the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers.
Before Thursday’s game, the Pittsburgh Pirates placed catcher Endy Rodriguez on the 10-day injured list. Rodriguez hasn’t played in a game since August 7th against the New York Mets.
In 46 games this season, Rodriguez is hitting .267/.373/.467 with seven home runs, 20 RBI, and six stolen bases.
To take his spot on the roster, the Pirates recalled infielder Jack Brannigan from Triple-A Indianapolis.
The Pirates also swapped pitchers, sending Evan Sisk to the minors in exchange for Isaac Mattson.
Levi Sterling struck out a career-high and a Bradenton Marauders’ franchise-best 11 strikeouts over six innings pitched on Thursday. His last start wasn’t ideal; he needed 38 pitches to make it out of the first inning before getting pulled from the game.
He was dialed in on Thursday, throwing over 40% sliders on the night, while opting for the four-seam as his primary fastball.
Still just 19, Sterling has a 4.31 ERA this season, with 112 strikeouts over 96 innings pitched.
C Jack Scanlon assigned to Bradenton Marauders
RHP Kyle Calzadiaz assigned to Bradenton Marauders from FCL Pirates
RHP Michael Gibson assigned to Bradenton Marauders from FCL Pirates
RHP Ronaldo Gallo assigned to Greensboro Grasshoppers from Bradenton Marauders
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned LHP Evan Sisk to Indianapolis Indians
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled RHP Isaac Mattson from Indianapolis Indians
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled SS Jack Brannigan from Indianapolis Indians
RHP Andrew Moore assigned to Altoona Curve from Indianapolis Indians
Top Exit Velocity
Jacob Gonzalez - BRD - 108.6 mph - Home Run
Eddie King Jr. - BRD - 108.2 mph - Double Play
Johnathan Rodriguez - IND - 106.9 mph - Single
Rafael Flores - IND - 106.3 mph - Home Run
Nick Cimillo - BRD - 106 mph - Flyout
Top Pitch Velocity
Braxton Ashcraft - PIT - 99.2 mph
Braxton Ashcraft - PIT - 99 mph
Braxton Ashcraft - PIT - 98.6 mph
Braxton Ashcraft - PIT - 98.5 mph
Braxton Ashcraft - PIT - 98.4 mph
Most Whiffs
Levi Sterling - BRD - 18
Braxton Ashcraft - PIT - 10
Yeraldo Salcedo - BRD - 8
Jack Anker - GBO - 8
Nick Dombkowski - ALT - 7
Brandon Neeck - IND - 7
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Bucs on Deck: Pittsburgh Pirates 2026 Midseason Update
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Jun 25
The Pittsburgh Pirates have seen a major shift at the top of their system, having their two best prospects graduate to the majors. That would usually leave most organizations searching for talent, but the Pirates still have one of the top prospects in the game, Seth Hernandez, who tops the Bucs on Deck 2026 midseason update.
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Top Hitter - Nick Yorke: 1-4, R, RBI, 2B
Top Pitcher - Thomas Harrington: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, K
Top Hitter - Robert Hassell III: 1-3, R, 2 BB, 2B
Top Pitcher - Cristhian Tortosa: 2 IP, H, ER, BB, 4 K
Top Hitter - Edward Florentino: 1-4, R, 2 RBI, BB, HR, game-tying home run in the ninth
Top Pitcher - Jack Anker: 6 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Top Hitter - Canon Reeder: 2-4
Top Pitcher - Levi Sterling: 6 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 11 K
Top Hitter - Jhoendris Santos: 2-4, R
Top Pitcher - Marlon Quintana: 3.2 IP, H, 3 BB, 4 K
Top Hitter - Fernando Triana: 1-2, BB, SB
Top Pitcher - Yorgenson Artigas: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, K
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