PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Paul Skenes was in line to win the Opening Day start, but Colin Holderman gave up a couple of runs in the eighth inning and David Bednar gave up a run in the ninth as the Marlins come back to win 5-4 Thursday.
Nick Fortes tripled to open the bottom of the ninth before Kyle Stowers singled to right for a Miami walk-off win. Holderman walked the opening batter of the bottom of the eighth, then after getting a pair of outs he gave up a pair of singles as the Marlins tied the game at 4. The third run advanced to scoring position on a ground out, while the other runner got to second after a throw to the plate by Oneil Cruz.
At 22-years-old, Skenes was the youngest Bucs Opening Day starter since 1893. The right-hander went 5.1 innings allowing three hits, two runs (both earned), two walks and seven strikeouts to earn the win. He struck out the first two hitters he faced and then two more in the second inning. He would give up his first hit, a first-pitch double by Derek Hill in the third. Hill would come around to score on a fielders’ choice as the Pirates trailed 1-0.
Bucs would answer on a two-out, two-run single by Bryan Reynolds scoring Ke’Bryan Hayes and Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the fifth inning. Nick Gonzales homered in the sixth with Joey Bart aboard for a 4-1 lead. Gonzales would then have to leave due to recurrent left ankle discomfort.
A pair of one-out walks in the bottom of the sixth spelled the end for Skenes after 94 pitches (64 strikes). One of those runs scored on a passed ball charged to Bart. Ryan Borucki would get out of that inning working back from a 3-0 count to get Dane Myers looking with the bases loaded.
It’s the earliest date the Pirates have ever started a season. As a franchise they have the fourth most Opening Day wins all-time (74) and ninth-best winning percentage (.534). Game two Friday night at 7:10 with Dan Zangrilli hosting Bucco pregame at 6:15 on 93.7 The Fan.