MIAMI — It took 12 innings for the Pirates to get their first lead, and it had to be saved by a pitcher who was not originally set to be on the Opening Day roster, but they completed an Opening Day comeback Thursday to beat the Marlins at loanDepot Park, 6-5.
After falling behind 5-2 through the first five innings — partially due to not being able to turn double plays in the second and third innings that gave the Marlins second life — Oneil Cruz tied the game up with a solo home run to left in the eighth. Luis Ortiz was able to pull off a pair of Houdini acts to strand a runner on third in the 10th and 11th innings, ending his second frame with an around-the-horn double play.
In the 12th, Jared Triolo, who was playing in his first Opening Day, delivered the winning bloop to center, giving Jose Hernandez a chance to end the game. Hernandez was originally supposed to start the season with Triple-A Indianapolis, but he was recalled when Roansy Contreras was placed on paternity leave. Hernandez pitched a clean frame to earn his first Major League save.
A year ago, the Pirates were just 3-9 in extra-inning games, which was the fourth-worst win percentage in baseball. This year, they are starting 1-0.
