Pittsburgh Pirates' Andrew McCutchen acknowledges the crowd after moving to third-most home runs in club history with his three-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen hit a milestone three-run home run in the fifth inning to help the Pittsburgh Pirates defeat the Miami Marlins 5-2 on Wednesday.

McCutchen’s shot to left-center field off Cal Quantrill was his sixth of the season and 241st in 12 seasons with the Pirates, moving him past Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente into third place on the franchise’s career list. Willie Stargell (475) and Ralph Kiner (301) are ahead of McCutchen.

“I’m more excited about the win than (the home run), because I could’ve done it and lost and I would’ve been like, ‘Alright, cool,'” McCutchen said. “To get the win and do it, you know, definitely helps appreciate it a little more.”

The homer put the Pirates ahead 4-0 after they scored a run on catcher Nick Fortes’ throwing error in the second inning. Pittsburgh took two of three in the series, went 6-3 on the homestand and sent the Marlins to their eighth loss in 10 games.

“Unbelievable,” Pirates interim manager and Pittsburgh native Don Kelly said of McCutchen. “Just really cool to be here to witness it. It was a really awesome moment.”

The ball was caught and returned by Jim Kolesar, a longtime Pirates fan from the South Side.

“Just happy to have that opportunity here at home, because who knows, if I would have hit it in Chicago, maybe I don’t get that ball back,” McCutchen joked. “It’s great for it to work out the way that it did.”

Bailey Falter (5-3) allowed one run — on rookie Heriberto Hernandez’s first career homer — on five hits in 5• innings. The left-hander is 4-0 with a 1.61 ERA in eight starts since the beginning of May.

David Bednar pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his ninth save in as many chances.

Quantrill (3-7) went five innings and gave up four runs — three earned — and six hits while striking out six. He lost his third straight start.

Ke’Bryan Hayes had two hits for the Pirates. The Marlins got two hits each from Hernandez, Fortes and Connor Norby.

Key moment

With the Marlins down 1-0 and the bases loaded in the fifth, rookie Augustin Ramirez lined out sharply to right field to end the inning.

Key stat

Bednar is perfect in save opportunities this season after blowing seven of 30 last year.

Come on up

The Pirates recalled right-handed pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Right-handed pitcher Kyle Nicolas has been optioned to Indianapolis.

Mlodzinski went 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA (15.2ip/2er), 16 strikeouts and a .196 batting average against in three starts with Indianapolis after being optioned on May 21.

In addition, catcher Joey Bart will begin a rehab assignment today with Indianapolis.

Take care

The Minnesota Twins claimed left-handed pitcher Joey Wentz off waivers from the Pirates on Wednesday, adding a reinforcement for their injury-thinned staff.

The 27-year-old Wentz had a 4.15 ERA in 19 relief appearances this season for the Pirates, with 11 walks and 22 strikeouts in 26 innings.

Wentz was designated for assignment or release on Saturday by the Pirates, who claimed him off waivers last September from the Detroit Tigers. He had a 4.68 ERA over a career-high 46 games between the Tigers and Pirates in 2024.

Up next

The Pirates visit the Chicago Cubs tonight in the opener of a four-game series. LHP Andrew Heaney (3-4, 3.24) will pitch for the Pirates. The Cubs have not announced a starter.

On deck

Tonight: Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs, 8:05 p.m.

Pitching matchups: Pirates LHP Andrew Heaney (3-4) vs. Cubs RHP Jameson Taillon (6-3)

TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh