Tag: Not getting swept

Final Score: Pirates 8 Rockies 6

Why The Pirates Won: After a slow start, the Pirates’ bats finally came alive in the thin Colorado air. From the 4th through the 7th inning, they scored 8 runs on 11 hits. They were led by Bryan Reynolds, who homered and drove in 3 runs, going 2 for 5, and Nick Gonzales, who homered and drove in 2 runs, going 2 for 4. Jake Mangum went 3 for 4. Jared Jones got hit with a line drive on the elbow and had to leave the game after 3 innings. X-rays seem to be negative, but I would be surprised if he does not miss a start. The bullpen almost blew the game, giving up 3 runs in the 8th and 2 in the bottom of the 9th. The Pirates were able to pull out the last game of the series and avoid the embarrassment of being swept by the Rockies, who have the worst record in baseball.

Key Moments Of The Game: Both Jared Jones and Yohan Ramirez were able to get out of jams of mostly their own making, with very little to no damage. In the bottom of the 2nd, the Rockies opened the inning with a slow roller single to 3rd base. Jones walked the next 2 batters; at one point he threw 7 out of 8 pitches out of the strike zone. The Pirates could only get a force out at 2nd base, and the Rockies scored the first run of the game, putting runners on 1st and 3rd with one out. He struck out Kyle Karros, getting him to swing at a couple of borderline pitches. Brett Sullivan flew out to center field to end the inning. The Pirates led 2-1 going into the bottom of the 4th when Yohan Ramirez had to enter the game for the injured Jones. He started the inning by hitting a batter and walking a batter; only one of his first 7 pitches found the strike zone. The Rockies’ version of Jared Triolo, Edouard Julien, hit the first pitch, which was well inside, and grounded it right to Brandon Lowe to hit into a double play. Ramirez struck out the next batter, who swung at a pitch well high and outside for the 3rd strike. After all, it was the Rockies we were playing.

Next Game: Tomorrow night: Mariners in Pittsburgh. The Pirates are back to .500 as they head home. The Pirates continue to refuse to use Isaac Mattson, even though the bullpen continues to make every game interesting. Jake Magnum continues not to lead off. Marcell Ozuna was not in the lineup; it appears that he may only DH against left-handed pitching. The frugal Bob Nuthing seems to have the only $12 million DH who only hits against left-handed pitching. What an organization.