Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole was pulled after five innings Thursday against the Marlins, despite throwing only 73 pitches (49 strikes). Cole left trailing 4-2, but was off the hook for the loss after Pittsburgh tied the game in the seventh inning.
Cole struggled from the start Thursday, as Giancarlo Stanton had an RBI double and Placido Polanco had an RBI single in the first inning. Christian Yelich extended the lead to four runs with a two-run homer off Cole in the fifth inning.
Cole has one win in his last seven starts, going 1-5. He allowed a career-high four runs during Thursday's no-decision.
The rookie right-hander will be back on the hill Wednesday at St. Louis. He is 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA in three road starts.