Stowers Delivers Walk-Off Win as Marlins Rally Past Pirates on Opening Day

The Miami Marlins kicked off their 2025 campaign in thrilling fashion, rallying from a three-run deficit to earn a dramatic 5-4 walk-off victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day at loanDepot park. Kyle Stowers delivered the decisive blow, lining a single to right field in the bottom of the ninth to bring home pinch runner Javier Sanoja and secure Miami’s first Opening Day win in a standard 162-game season since 2020.

Stowers’ game-winning hit capped a comeback that saw the Marlins score four unanswered runs over the final three innings, overcoming a mid-game surge by the Pirates. Miami had trailed 4-1 entering the bottom of the sixth but slowly chipped away at the deficit. Xavier Edwards scored on a wild pitch in the sixth, and Otto Lopez and Dane Myers each drove in runs with clutch singles in the eighth to tie the game.

The game began as a pitchers’ duel between two fireballers, Miami’s Sandy Alcantara and Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes. Alcantara, returning from Tommy John surgery, looked dominant early, holding the Pirates hitless through four innings and striking out seven. But after recording two quick outs in the fifth, he ran into trouble, allowing two hits and issuing back-to-back walks before surrendering a two-run single to Bryan Reynolds. Alcantara exited after 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks.

Skenes, making his first Opening Day start and entering the season with high expectations after being named the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year, lived up to the hype early. He struck out seven and allowed just three hits and two runs over 5 1/3 innings before turning the ball over to the bullpen.

Pittsburgh extended its lead in the sixth when Nick Gonzalez launched a two-run homer to left, seemingly putting the game out of reach. But the Marlins bullpen, led by Jesus Tinoco in the ninth, held the Pirates scoreless the rest of the way. Tinoco (1-0) earned the win after escaping a tense top of the ninth.

In the bottom of the final frame, catcher Nick Fortes sparked the rally with a leadoff triple against Pirates closer David Bednar (0-1). After an intentional walk to Edwards and a stolen base, Stowers stepped in and delivered the game-winner—his lone hit of the night, but the most important one.

With the win, new Marlins manager Clayton McCullough earned a victory in his managerial debut. Miami (1-0) will look to continue their momentum in Game 2 of the four-game series Friday night at loanDepot park.

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