Russell Martin walk off single knocks Pirates past Marlins

Jul 31, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Russell Martin (55) singles in the game winning run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports On Thursday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Pirates hosted the Miami Marlins in game three of the three game series. The Pirates, down two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, tied the game on sacrifice flies by Neil Walker and Gaby Sanchez. In extra innings, Russell Martin hit a walk off pinch hit single, scoring Josh Harrison for the 5-4 victory.

Starting pitcher Gerrit Cole went five innings pitched, allowing four runs off five hits and a walk.

In the top of the first, Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton doubled to right, scoring Christian Yelich, giving the Marlins the early 1-0 advantage. Later in the first, Placido Polanco singled to center, scoring Stanton extending the lead to 2-0.

In the top of the fifth Yelich hit a two run home run, scoring him and Jeff Mathis, extending their lead to 4-0.

In the bottom of the fifth, Walker singled to left, scoring Startling Marte, cutting into the Marlins lead. Later in the inning, Alex Presley scored on a Pedro Alvarez single, as the Marlins lead was 4-2.

In the bottom of the seventh, Walker hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Jose v Tabata. Later in the inning, Gaby Sanchez hit a sacrifice fly, airing Marte and tying the game at 4-all.

In the bottom of tenth, with runners on first and second, catcher Russell Martin hit a pinch hit walk off single, scoring Josh Harrison for the 5-4.

Notes: With the win against the Marlins, the won their seventh series sweep of the season. With the walk off single in the tenth, Russell Martin hit his fourth walk off hit b of the season.