Final Score: Pirates 5 Rockies 3
Why The Pirates Won: Despite some base running gaffes that cost the Pirates a couple of runs, they had a big 4th inning where they scored 4 runs, and held on to win, upping their record to 11-7. Jack Suwinski had the big night hitting 2 home runs and driving in 3 runs. A bold baserunning move by Tucupita Marcano accounted for the 5th run when he came home on a wild pitch that only got about 20 feet past the catcher. This turned out to be nice insurance in the tense late innings. Vince Velasquez, after a shaky 1st inning, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits, settled down just enough to dance through the raindrops for the next 5 innings without giving up a run. He only gave up one more hit but walked 3 to keep things interesting. He only retired the side in order once, although an error in the 6th by Ji Hwan (Boy Did I Have A Bad Game) Bae, gave the Rockies an extra out. All in all, the Rockies left 10 men on base. Grudgingly, I have to give Velasquez credit for a gritty performance over 6 innings. The bullpen kept the Rockies in check the rest of way but not without a little bit of luck. The Pirates missed many opportunities to extend their lead, but all is forgiven when you win.
The Key Moment of the Game: In the bottom of the 8th with the Pirates leading by 2 runs, the Rockies opened the inning with a double and a single to put runners on 1st and 3rd with no outs, against Robert Stephenson, who had just come into the game to start the inning. He got the next batter to strikeout. Alan Trejo hit a rocket on the 2nd pitch, but right at Ke’Bryan Hayes for the second out. Pinch hitter Mike Moustakas on a 3-2 pitch lined a deep ball to left field that Bryan Reynolds made a nice over the shoulder catch to end the inning. Bednar got the save but gave up a 2 out double before striking out C. J. Cron to end the game.
Next Game: This afternoon, Rockies in Colorado. The Pirates will be going for the sweep and a 5-2 road trip. Johan Oviedo will be starting for the Pirates, who has been pretty spectacular after giving up 5 runs in the 1st inning against the Red Sox. He has given up only 1 run in the last 17 innings. This is already a successful road trip and a sweep would just put whip cream and a cherry right on top. Go Bucs!
The Goofy Game of Golf/Life Searching for the Answer 