Mike Jacobs Hits First Career Grand Slam and Florida Marlins Beat Pittsburgh Pirates 7-3
Associated Press | Apr 5, 08 9:16 PM CDT in
Sports
Mike Jacobs hit his first career grand slam to lead the Florida Marlins to a 7-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.
Jacobs' 417-foot blast to right-center off starter Paul Maholm gave the Marlins a 5-1 lead in the fifth. Jacobs' walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth beat the Pirates on Friday.
Hanley Ramirez also homered for the Marlins.
Florida's Mark Hendrickson (1-1) gave up three runs _ one earned _ and five hits in 5 1-3 innings.
With the score tied at 1, Maholm retired two of the first three batters he faced in the bottom of the fifth. He then hit Ramirez with a pitch and walked Dan Uggla, bringing up Jacobs with the bases full.
Pittsburgh closed to 5-3 in the sixth on Chris Gomez's two-run single off reliever Logan Kensing. The Marlins picked up two runs off relief pitcher Evan Meek in the sixth to stretch their lead to 7-3. Brett Carroll hit an RBI triple and later scored from third during a squeeze play on Matt Treanor's bunt.
Maholm (0-1) allowed five runs and five hits in five innings and struck out a career-high nine. Justin Miller pitched two scoreless innings in relief for the Marlins. Matt Lindstrom pitched a scoreless ninth.
Four Pirates pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts in a losing effort.
The Pirates tied the score at 1 in the fourth. Jason Bay led off with a double and after Xavier Nady walked, they did a double steal. Ronny Paulino drove in Bay with a ground out.
Ramirez led off the game with a home run off Maholm. It was the 16th career leadoff homer for Ramirez.
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