The Pittsburgh Pirates were well on their way to a victory this afternoon at PNC Park, which would complete a three game series sweep of the Colorado Rockies. But the Bucs gave up a run in the eighth and two in the ninth, losing a heartbreaker by a 4-3 score.
Chase De Jong started for Pittsburgh and pitched well, giving up one run on three hits in five innings of work. The rest of the bullpen also performed well…until the eighth inning. Kyle Crick gave up a run in the eighth and Richard Rodriguez gave up two runs in the ninth, getting tagged with a loss and a blown save.
The Bucs scored the game’s first run in the third inning when Adam Frazier doubled home Ka’ai Tom. A triple by Charlie Blackmon in the fourth tied the game, but Tom’s single in the bottom of the inning gave the Pirates the lead again. Later in the inning, Frazier’s ground out scored Will Craig to make it a 3-1 score.
Pittsburgh had control of the game until the eighth, when Colorado loaded the bases. A walk to C.J. Cron pushed the Rockies’ second run across, make it a one-run game at 3-2.
Blackmon’s double in the ninth tied the game, and a single by Bucs’ nemesis Matt Adams gave the Rockies the lead for good.
This was a disastrous ending to this weekend’s series. The Bucs played two solid games yesterday and were well on their way to another win today. Unfortunately, though, the bullpen faltered and they couldn’t hold off the Rockies. Pittsburgh will hit the road beginning tomorrow against the Kansas City Royals.
Record vs. Rockies: 2-1
Record vs. N.L. West: 7-7
Record at Home: 10-15
Overall Record: 20-32
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
