MIAMI -- Agustín Ramírez collected two hits while Griffin Conine and Heriberto Hernández went deep to back right-hander Janson Junk’s quality start in the Marlins’ 8-2 victory over the Pirates on Wednesday night at loanDepot park.
Miami (62-59) has won four in a row and moved within 1 1/2 games of the D-backs and Phillies for the final National League Wild Card. There are 41 games remaining in the regular season.
Ramírez, who was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville on Aug. 4, tallied his second multihit performance since his return and was involved in the club’s first two rallies.
Trailing 1-0 in the second inning, Jakob Marsee and Ramírez singled (107.8 mph exit velocity) to open the frame, but the next two batters recorded outs without advancing the baserunners. Joe Mack walked to load the bases before Edwards drove in a run with an infield hit.
An inning later, Ramírez collected his second hit in as many at-bats -- a 110.6 mph RBI double -- that chased Pirates righty Carmen Mlodzinski. The Marlins then capitalized on lefty Evan Sisk’s wildness to score three additional runs. After Javier Sanoja walked to load the bases, Leo Jiménez was hit by a pitch, Mack walked and Edwards produced a sacrifice fly.
Prior to Wednesday, Ramírez had been 3-for-9 with two walks and four strikeouts since his return. Wednesday marked his third start (two at designated hitter and one at catcher).
Conine, who was robbed of a homer and flied out to the warning track in center in Tuesday’s win, took former teammate Lake Bachar deep for a solo shot in the fourth to extend the lead to 6-2.
Entering Wednesday, Conine’s 34.3 HR/FB% rate (min. 140 plate appearances) was best in the Majors. His home run in every 11.69 at-bats would also pace MLB if he qualified. For reference, Rockies All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman goes deep once every 12.18 at-bats (in 414 AB).
Hernández clubbed his team-leading 17th homer of the season with a two-run blast in the sixth. Since last going deep on July 29, Hernández had been 4-for-40 (.100).