PITTSBURGH (AP) — Miguel Andujar hit a tiebreaking double in the eighth inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the playoff-bound Miami Marlins 3-0 on Sunday in the regular-season finale for both teams.
The Marlins needed to win to assure themselves of gaining the second National League wild card and the fifth seed in the NL playoffs over Arizona. The Diamondbacks were hosting Houston and loss by Arizona would still give Miami the fifth seed and a matchup at Philadelphia in a best-of-three wild-card series beginning Tuesday.
If Miami is seeded sixth, it would play a best-of-three series at NL Central champion Milwaukee starting Tuesday. It did not appear the Marlins would have to travel to New York for the completion of Thursday's suspended game at the Mets.
Connor Joe doubled with one out in the eighth off Bryan Hoeing (2-3). After Jared Triolo walked Andujar, got his go-ahead hit and Jack Suwinski followed with a two-run double.
David Bednar pitched a perfect ninth for his 39th save in 42 chances to finish a three-hitter. Dauri Moreta (5-2), the fourth of five pitchers, got the win.
The Marlins are headed to the postseason for the first time since qualifying for the expanded playoffs during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Miami hasn’t appeared in the postseason during a full season since 2003 when they upset the New York Yankees to win the World Series.
Ryan Weathers gave up two hits in six innings for the Marlins after being recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville. Despite a 1-8 record and a 7.32 ERA entering the game, Weathers could possibly play a role in the postseason. Miami will be without reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara and rookie sensation Eury Pérez because of injuries.
Pirates starter Andre Jackson threw one-hit ball over four innings.
Pittsburgh finished 76-86 after a 20-8 start. The Pirates ere 62-100 in 2022, their second season with at lest 100 losses.
NO MORE MOORE
The Marlins designated veteran left-handed reliever Matt Moore for assignment to open a roster spot for Weathers. Moore was claimed off waivers from Cleveland on Sept. 19 but was ineligible for postseason play because he joined the organization following the Aug. 31 deadline.
PIRATES ATTENDANCE UP
The Pirates finished with a season attendance of 1,630,624 in 81 home dates. That was an increase of more than 373,000 over last year’s 1,257,458.
UP NEXT
Marlins: Open play Tuesday in the wild card round of the NL playoffs.
Pirates: Begin their exhibition schedule Feb. 24 against the Minnesota Twins at Fort Myers, Florida.
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