The Marlins, who left eight on base through six innings, broke through with one out in the seventh. Ichiro Suzuki collected his second single of the night, and he scored on Christian Yelich's RBI to right. J.T. Realmuto, who singled, scored on a wild pitch, and Yelich dashed home on Justin Bour's fielder's-choice grounder.
The Pirates avoided being shut out for the first time this year, scoring off closer A.J. Ramos on Gregory Polanco's deep sacrifice fly in ninth.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Ace of Marlins Park: The Marlins needed Fernandez to step up like an ace, and the right-hander certainly delivered. In control from the start, the 23-year-old breezed through a powerful Pittsburgh lineup in his seven-inning, six-strikeout stint. It was Fernandez's 11th start of the season, and he didn't walk a batter for the first time. That helped keep his pitch count down. Fernandez exited after 88 pitches and his team up by three. Fernandez has now won his last seven starts, posting an ERA of 1.60 in that stretch. In his career at Marlins Park, he is 22-1 with a 1.59 ERA.
First chance, missed chance: The Pirates managed to get one runner in scoring position until the ninth. Josh Harrison reached on an infield single to lead off the third inning, and Cole's one-out sacrifice bunt pushed him to second base. But Fernandez struck out John Jaso, leaving Harrison stranded at second.
Crisis averted: Cole narrowly escaped one early jam, as the Marlins put runners on second and third base with no outs in the third inning. He struck out Yelich, tagged out Ichiro on a fielder's-choice grounder and caught Bour looking at a 98-mph fastball for the third out. After stranding two runners, Cole pumped his fist as he walked off the mound.
Dietrich starts double play: The Marlins squandered a bases-full, one-out situation in the sixth inning, and the Pirates applied some pressure in the seventh when Andrew McCutchen singled to right. Ichiro made a nice play in right field, cutting the ball off and keeping McCutchen at first. It proved big because Polanco ripped a hard grounder at second baseman Derek Dietrich, who made the stop and started a 4-6-3 double play. It was a big moment for Fernandez, who was able to retire Jung Ho Kang on a comeback grounder, putting him at 88 pitches through seven.
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
When Fernandez struck out Jaso to end the second inning, it was the right-hander's 52nd strikeout in the month, establishing a club record for May. Ricky Nolasco fanned 51 in 2008. Fernandez finished the month with 56 strikeouts.
REPLAY REVIEW
With one out in the seventh inning, Cole yanked a 97-mph fastball and walked Marcell Ozuna. But the ball skipped past catcher Francisco Cervelli, allowing Realmuto to score from third base. Cervelli quickly recovered and fired a throw to Cole, who tagged Realmuto's foot. Realmuto was ruled safe, and the call stood after a Pirates challenge and a one-minute, 17-second review.
WHAT'S NEXT
Pirates: Left-hander Jonathon Niese (5-2, 4.42 ERA) will start for the Pirates on Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. ET at Marlins Park. Niese has turned a corner after a rough start, going 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA over his last four starts and pitching at least six innings each time out.
Marlins: Adam Conley (3-3, 4.15 ERA) will go for the Marlins on Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. ET against the Pirates. The lefty is 1-3 (5.91) this year at Marlins Park.
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Adam Berry has covered the Pirates for MLB.com since 2015. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Fernandez outduels Cole; Marlins edge Pirates
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