Pirates fall to Marlins

MIAMI (AP) — Mike Jacobs hit his first career grand slam to lead the Florida Marlins to a 7-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.

Jacobs’ 417-foot blast to right-center off starter Paul Maholm gave the Marlins a 5-1 lead in the fifth. Jacobs’ walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth beat the Pirates on Friday.

Hanley Ramirez also homered for the Marlins.

Florida’s Mark Hendrickson (1-1) gave up three runs — one earned — and five hits in 51‚Ñ3 innings.

With the score tied at 1, Maholm retired two of the first three batters he faced in the bottom of the fifth. He then hit Ramirez with a pitch and walked Dan Uggla, bringing up Jacobs with the bases full.

Pittsburgh closed to 5-3 in the sixth on Chris Gomez’s two-run single off reliever Logan Kensing.

The Marlins picked up two runs off relief pitcher Evan Meek in the sixth to stretch their lead to 7-3. Brett Carroll hit an RBI triple and later scored from third during a squeeze play on Matt Treanor’s bunt.

Maholm (0-1) allowed five runs and five hits in five innings and struck out a career-high nine. Justin Miller pitched two scoreless innings in relief for the Marlins. Matt Lindstrom pitched a scoreless ninth.

Four Pirates pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts in a losing effort.

The Pirates tied the score at 1 in the fourth. Jason Bay led off with a double and after Xavier Nady walked, they did a double steal. Ronny Paulino drove in Bay with a ground out.

Ramirez led off the game with a home run off Maholm. It was the 16th career leadoff homer for Ramirez.