Outfield trio lives up to top defensive billing
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PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates' outfield is regarded as one of the best in the Majors, and it flashed some leather in a 6-5 loss to the Marlins on Friday night at PNC Park.
Starling Marte notched his National League-leading 15th outfield assist when he threw out Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto at the plate in the fourth inning.
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Right fielder Gregory Polanco showed off his arm in the sixth when he nabbed Xavier Scruggs at home plate. It was his eighth outfield assist.
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"We played great defense," starter Gerrit Cole said. "We threw two guys out at home plate trying to test our guys. We did a lot of good stuff tonight."
Andrew McCutchen made a diving catch in center to end a Marlins uprising in the seventh inning, while Polanco made one of his own to prevent insurance runs in the ninth.
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"Marte and Polanco both throwing guys out and McCutchen's diving catch in the seventh to save runs," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "They take pride in their defense. They take pride in their throwing. They work on their throwing. We get a lot of work done before games.
"We get a lot of work done with the outfielders during games as far as throwing and keeping their arm stretched out. They take pride in it, and it paid off tonight."