MIAMI — The way the Pirates have been trending, including what happened during the first two games of this series, they've needed someone to put a foot down, to deliver an emphatic performance and allow everyone to follow that person's lead.
Braxton Ashcraft gave the Pirates exactly what they had been searching for Thursday in Miami, twirling a complete-game gem during a 13-1 victory over the Marlins at loanDepot Park, Pittsburgh avoiding a sweep and returning home with some semblance of momentum.
With an ability and desire to pound the strike zone, Ashcraft did exactly that in this one, requiring just 85 pitches (64 strikes) to navigate nine innings. The right-hander struck out 10 and induced a bunch of weak, early contact.
It was the first nine-inning complete game by a Pirate since Mitch Keller threw one May 6, 2024 against the Angels, the first on the road since Johan Oviedo Aug. 28, 2023 at the Royals.
"With the pitch count where it was, the thing I kept telling myself is, 'It’s my game. I started it. I want to finish it,' " Ashcraft said.
As for the low pitch count — no MLB pitcher has thrown fewer in a complete game this season — Ashcraft actually became the first Pirate to spin a complete game in under 90 pitches since Jeff Karstens needed just 83 on July 15, 2011 at the Astros.
In fact, Ashcraft became just the third Pirates pitcher in the pitch-tracking era (since 1988) with a nine-inning complete game in 85 or fewer pitches, joining Karstens and Doug Drabek (80 pitches on Sept. 30, 1990 at the Cardinals).
"We’ve been on a stretch where the bullpen has been a little banged up," Ashcraft said. "Going in and being able to cover at least six and ended up going the full nine, that was huge. Not only for me — yeah, it was a career accomplishment — but sets us up going into next series pretty well."
The victory helped the Pirates avoid a sweep. It was also an important response after manager Don Kelly challenged his players to show more fight following Wednesday’s game.
In addition to Ashcraft, Jared Triolo had three hits, including a homer, along with three RBIs and two runs scored. Rafael Flores Jr. enjoyed his first two-homer game at this level, amassed six RBIs and also threw out a runner for the first time in MLB.
Jake Mangum collected three hits, including a double and triple, plus an RBI and three runs scored. Jacob Gonzalez added a two-run homer, his sixth this season, in the ninth to round out the scoring.
It was the type of get-right game the Pirates have needed, as they've dropped seven consecutive series and 12 of their past 15 games.
"Just proud of them," Kelly said. "We’ve fought all year. I think the thing that stands out is we just have to keep going. Can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We just have to keep competing like we have all year."
Ashcraft actually used his sinker more than usual, allowing the defense behind him to work. The Pirates turned three double plays, all within the first five innings, while Ashcraft finished with nine ground-ball outs. He struck out at least one with all four of his pitches, including four with his curveball.
When he wasn’t crediting teammates, Ashcraft attributed his success to a bullpen session here on Monday, where he made a few mechanical tweaks to improve his direction. This was also the first time he’s worked with Flores, and it’s hard to imagine them having an easier time.
Mangum scored on a balk in the fifth before Triolo blasted a sinker 395 feet to center for a 2-0 lead. Jakob Marsee, who robbed Esmerlyn Valdez of a home run in the fourth inning Wednesday, nearly did it again … but instead knocked the ball up and over the wall for a solo homer.
“It all counts the same,” Triolo said, laughing.
The Pirates widened their led the following inning, giving Ashcraft more than enough breathing room.
Mangum was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, 3-0. Then Triolo struck again, this time hitting a hanging, first-pitch curveball through the left side for a 5-0 advantage.
Two innings later, Flores turned it into a laugher by clobbering a two-strike curveball into the left-field seats for the first of two three-run shots.
Prior to the ninth, Ashcraft stood at the far end of the Pirates dugout, hopping up and down, stretching his arm and counting the moments until he could sprint back out to the mound. The caged-bull stuff we saw earlier in the year.
With a lopsided score and a laughably low pitch count, there was no way he wasn’t finishing this one.
It turned out to be the first complete game of his career and a win the Pirates really needed.
"He’s an All-Star, man," Kelly said. "He earned that in the first half. Certainly did today coming off some tough losses. To post the way he did today was outstanding."
Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH on X.