For the second consecutive game, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies played a tight, close, low-scoring game, and for the second time in as many days, the end result was a 2-1 score. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, Tuesday night resulted in a one-run victory for Rockies at PNC Park.
The two teams combined for 12 hits on Tuesday, though only three total runs crossed the plate in what was another nail-biter on the north shore. Roansy Contreras started for the Bucs and was stellar on the mound, giving up just three hits and two walks in five innings. Chris Stratton was tagged with a blown save and David Bednar suffered the loss (1-1).
Kyle Freeland started for Colorado, giving up one run on two hits and two walks in 4.1 innings. Daniel Bard earned the victory (2-2) with his two innings of shutout baseball in the eighth and ninth frames.
The Pirates scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Cal Mitchell singled on a fly ball to center field, scoring Diego Castillo to put the Bucs on the board at 1-0. It would be the only run they would score.
The Rockies tied the game in the top of the eighth on a single by Ryan McMahon, scoring Garrett Hampson. The game remained tied until the top of the 10th when Connor Joe smacked a single to center field to score Sam Hilliard. Colorado shut down the Bucs in the bottom of the inning to secure the win.
This was a tough loss for the Bucs, who held the lead into the eighth inning. Unfortunately, the bullpen wasn’t able to hold the lead, and they will now take the field on Wednesday afternoon looking to win this series in the rubber match against the Rockies. Zach Thompson will take the mound for Pittsburgh against Ryan Feltner for Colorado.
Record vs. Rockies: 1-1
Record vs. N.L. West: 4-4
Record at Home: 10-14
Overall Record: 17-25
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
