Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton suffers right wrist contusion after HBP

Gerrit Cole kept the ball in the park but it didn't matter as the Marlins peppered him early and often, to the tune of eleven hits and seven runs in just four and two thirds innings.

Stanton (hand) exited Saturday's game in the first inning after being hit by a pitch on his right hand/forearm, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Stanton was struck by a Trevor Williams fastball in the first inning and winced in pain as he made his way slowly to first base.

Stanton is usually hits in the middle of the middle of the lineup, but Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly moved him into the second spot in the lineup - which has proven to be the right move for the player and the team. "So we're just going to see where we're at".

Cole has allowed 16 runs (including eight home runs) in 14 2/3 innings over his last three starts, increasing his ERA from 2.84 to 4.27 on the year.

Marlins: Jeff Locke (0-1, 3.48 ERA) will make his first start against the Pirates, the only major league team he'd ever played for before his season. Pittsburgh has allowed at least six runs in each of its past five games. Juan Nicasio and Felipe Rivero will split closing duties for now.

After ceding three runs in the first, Pittsburgh left runners in scoring position in five consecutive innings before Mercer and Jaso finally came through, frustrating what was otherwise a solid offensive performance.

One thing Hurdle did admit is that he's confident in his group heading into Sunday after the win Saturday. "I liked the fight in the offense". Mattingly said he'd like Ellington to focus on throwing more strikes and likes Steckenrider's ability to go multiple innings. The Pirates, meanwhile, are 4-1 in Cole's last five home starts, are 4-1 in his last five outings versus National League East opponents and are 8-3 in their last 11 games following a loss.

Nova's status remains uncertain after he left his last start with left knee inflammation after pitching six innings against the Baltimore Orioles on June 6. Fish starter Dan Strailly was charged with four runs on nine hits over four frames before David Phelps gave up three 7th inning runs to get the loss.