The game turned in the seventh inning. Miami scored four runs to break a 2-2 tie and defeat Pittsburgh 8-3 at PNC Park, extending their winning streak to five games.
Sandy Alcantara earned the victory with eight innings of work, allowing 3 runs on five hits while striking out seven. The right-hander reached 1,000 career strikeouts in this game, carrying a 4.35 ERA into his sixth win of the season.
The decisive seventh began with Edwards hitting a sacrifice fly to center, bringing Hicks home for a 3-2 lead. Hernández followed with a single to left that scored Lopez, then Caissie doubled to center, driving home both Hernández and Stowers to make it 6-2. Miami added two more runs in the eighth when Hicks homered to right, scoring Sanoja.
Wilber Dotel took the loss for Pittsburgh, surrendering 4 runs in 1.2 innings of relief. Braxton Ashcraft had kept the Pirates close through five innings, allowing just 2 runs on five hits. Liam Hicks led Miami's offense, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored, a double, and a home run.
Miami improved to 34-35 with their fifth straight victory. Pittsburgh fell to 35-34, snapping a brief winning streak. Brandon Lowe sits eight RBI away from 500 career RBI.