Ashcraft's Complete Game, Flores' 2 HRs Power Pirates Past Marlins 13-1

Braxton Ashcraft threw a complete-game three-hitter, Rafael Flores hit two three-run homers, and the Pittsburgh Pirates routed the Miami Marlins 13-1 on Thursday.

Jared Triolo and Jacob Gonzalez also homered for the Pirates, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Pittsburgh's Jake Mangum went 3 for 4 with three runs scored.

Ashcraft (12-5) struck out 10 and walked one in his 85-pitch outing. The right-hander, aided by three double plays, faced the minimum until Owen Caissie homered to lead off the ninth.

Ashcraft became the first Pirate to throw a nine-inning complete game since Mitch Keller did so against the Los Angeles Angels on May 26, 2024. He was also the first Pirate to complete a game under 100 pitches since Ivan Nova accomplished the feat against Miami on April 29, 2017.

Pittsburgh's Nick Gonzales had a walk and two singles, extending his major league-leading total of multi-hit games to 48.

The Pirates broke through with a two-run fifth off Tyler Phillips (3-6). Mangum hit a leadoff triple and scored on a balk by Phillips. Triolo followed with his second homer of the season, going 3 for 4 with three RBIs and three runs scored. A video review confirmed Triolo's homer after the Marlins appealed that his drive had bounced off and over the wall rather than off center fielder Jakob Marsee's glove.

Pittsburgh extended its lead in the sixth. Reliever Cade Gibson inherited two runners, walked Gonzalez, then hit Mangum with the bases loaded. Triolo followed with a two-run single to make it 5-0.

Flores broke the game open with a drive off reliever John King in the eighth. Miami position player Javier Sanoja pitched the ninth and allowed Gonzalez's two-run drive and Flores' second three-run blast.

Phillips gave up four runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out six.

The Pirates open a three-game home series against Boston on Friday with Bubba Chandler (5-8, 4.26 ERA) facing Jake Bennett (7-5, 3.17 ERA). The Marlins open a three-game series at Cincinnati with Sandy Alcantara (13-6, 3.52) facing Chase Burns (13-2, 2.61).