What began as a great road trip, quickly turned sour for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They would win three of their first four on this seven-game trip, but then be swept by the Colorado Rockies in three straight games, including a 6-2 loss today. The last time Pittsburgh only managed two runs for an entire series at Coors Field was back in 2002.
The Pirates had what looked like a breakout inning in the first. Ke’Bryan Hayes drove in their first run of the series with a sac fly to right to plate Adam Frazier. The very next batter Bryan Reynolds would then hit a solo home run to right center. Unfortunately, that would be all the offense that Pittsburgh could muster for the day and the series. Those runs would come off of Colorado starter Jon Gray, who settled in to pitch six innings.
Chad Kuhl would only get through 4.1 innings this afternoon, allowing three runs on five hits with six strikeouts and three walks. The Rockies scored their first run in the fourth when C.J. Cron went deep for a solo home run. Colorado tied the game in the fifth on a Garrett Hampson RBI double to right center. Cron would give them the lead later in the inning on a sac fly to center.
Three of the four Pirates to come out of the bullpen today gave up an earned run. Chris Stratton was tagged with one in the sixth and so was Sam Howard. The Rockies then scored their sixth and final run of the game in the seventh off of relief pitcher David Bednar. Chasen Shreve would work the eighth inning without allowing a run.
All I can say is thank God this wasn’t a four-game series. These two teams will not match up again in 2021 and that is a good thing since Colorado won four of the six games. Pittsburgh will return home to begin a four-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday night. Hopefully the Pirates can use some home cooking to end this three-game losing streak.
Record vs. Rockies: 2-4
Record vs. N.L. West: 7-14
Record on the Road: 13-29
Overall Record: 29-50
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
