Sanabia comes up from minors, shuts down Pirates into the 8th inning of 4-2 Marlins’ win

Marlins summon Sanabia to shut down Pirates, 4-2

PITTSBURGH — Alex Sanabia pitched 7 2-3 innings of four-hit ball, Gaby Sanchez hit a three-run homer and the Florida Marlins beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 on Thursday night.

Sanabia (2-1) allowed one run, struck out five and walked none in his fifth career start. The right-hander was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans on Wednesday night after Sean West was scratched from his start due to right knee inflammation.

Andrew McCutchen homered for the third time in four games for Pittsburgh (40-81). The Pirates’ next defeat will ensure an 18th straight losing season, extending their record among all major North American professional sports.

Chris Snyder and Argenis Diaz hit consecutive doubles in the eighth to chase Sanabia, but Clay Hensley struck out pinch-hitter Delwyn Young to end the inning. Leo Nunez allowed McCutchen’s 12th homer before finishing for his 28th save and second in as many nights.

Emilio Bonifacio walked and Logan Morrison singled ahead of Sanchez’s first homer since July 30, a drive to center on a 1-2 pitch in Florida’s four-run sixth. Wes Helms added a two-out RBI single.

Pittsburgh starter Paul Maholm (7-12) left with two out in Florida’s big inning and was charged with four runs and eight hits. The left-hander has lost five of his past six starts, allowing 29 earned runs in 32 1-3 innings over the dismal stretch.

Pittsburgh has lost of 10 of 11 and 21 of 27, and own baseball’s worst record. The Pirates scored four runs over the final three games of the series.

NOTES: The Marlins improved to 7-0 in the fourth game of a series and 23-12 against left-handed starters. … Florida SS Hanley Ramirez rested. “I think it’s obvious he’s a little tired,” manager Edwin Rodriguez said. … Pirates SS Ronny Cedeno (left shoulder) missed his eighth consecutive start. Unlike the previous two days, however, he was not initially in the lineup only to be scratched just before game time. … This is only the second series Florida has won in the 10-season history of PNC Park.