 went seven innings and allowed three runs on seven hits in helping the Pirates win for the fifth time in seven games. He struck out six and walked none.The Pirates have won 12 of their last 16 games played in Colorado, dating to July 27, 2014.Gonzalez (0-6) trailed 3-0 before getting his first out and was down 7-0 when he exited in favor of Yency Almonte with two outs in the first in his shortest start of the season.Trailing 11-3 going into their half of the eighth, the Rockies sent 10 men to the plate and scored five runs, all with two outs. Pinch-hitter Yonathan Daza started the rally with a two-out triple and, after Daniel Murphy walked, Ryan McMahon followed with a two-run double and Ian Desmond hit an RBI double.Michael Feliz relieved Montana DuRapau and Sam Hilliard worked the count full before driving an opposite field homer deep into the left field bleachers.With runners at first and second, Francisco Liriano came on to strike out Yonder Alonso to end the inning. Felipe Vazquez got three outs for his 24th save.It was the seventh loss in eight games for the Rockies, who were eliminated from postseason contention with Wednesday night's 7-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox.Murphy had a single and double to drive in three runs for Colorado.Osuna had an RBI double in the second and homered on the first pitch he saw from Almonte in the fourth as the Pirates pulled in front 10-3.In the fifth, Newman drove a 1-1 pitch from Jesus Tinoco over the fence in left-center for the first multihomer game of his career. His four hits matched a career-best.TRAINER'S ROOMPirates: Prior to the game, RHP Chris Stratton was placed on the 10-day injured list with right side inflammation. Also, RHP Yefry Ramirez was placed on the IL with a right calf strain. Filling the roster vacancies were RHP Parker Markel and RHP Montana DuRapau, both recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis.Rockies: RHP Scott Oberg, transferred to the 60-day injured list after undergoing season-ending surgery earlier this month to resolve blood clot issues in his right arm, is making good progress in his recovery. Manager Bud Black said the team is closely monitoring Oberg and is optimistic he'll be ready for spring training. ... LHP Kyle Freeland, placed on the 10-day IL with a left groin strain a week ago, is gradually increasing physical conditioning work. He has begun playing catch and is getting closer to throwing off a mound, though that has not yet been scheduled.UP NEXTPirates: Rookie RHP Dario Agrazal (3-3, 4.41 ERA) is slated to make his 10th career start and first against the Rockies. He's coming off a win in his last outing in which he beat Cincinnati, going five innings and allowing four runs.Rockies: RHP Antonio Senzatela (8-8, 6.75 ERA) picked up the victory in his last start at Coors Field on July 14, despite allowing eight runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. He has three quality starts to his credit in Denver this season.---More baseball coverage: www.apnews.com/MLB and www.twitter.com/-Sports)
Last-place Pirates, Rockies look for smaller successesFLMClint Hurdle has returned to Coors Field plenty of times, and many of those visits have been as the manager of a playoff team.But this year his Pittsburgh Pirates occupy the basement of the National League Central and the postseason is far off for them and the Colorado Rockies, the team the Pirates face this weekend.The first of a four-game series between the teams is Thursday night, with Pittsburgh's Trevor Williams going against journeyman right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez.Hurdle was the manager during Colorado's most memorable season. He led the Rockies to an incredible finish in 2007, winning 14 of their last 15 regular season games and sweeping seven postseason games to advance to the World Series.The dream ended there at the hands of the Boston Red Sox in the Fall Classic, and Hurdle's reign in Colorado ended 45 games into the 2009 season. Hurdle landed on his feet, taking over the Pirates before the 2011 season. He led them to the playoffs from 2013 to 2015, but the Pirates have fallen on harder times.They head to Denver having dropped two games out of three at Philadelphia and with questions about two of their top players. Outfielder Gregory Polanco (left shoulder injury) and starter Chris Archer (right shoulder discomfort) are trying to work their way back before the end of the season from their injuries.Polanco is working out in Bradenton, Fla., but Archer is hoping to begin throwing soon."Chris wants to be back out there. He wants to compete with his team regardless of where it's at," Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "He wants to go out there and end the season on a favorable note, whether that's pitching or in general. He just wants his arm to feel good heading into the offseason." Williams (6-6, 5.35 ERA) is hoping to gain some momentum in the last month of 2019. He started the season 2-1 with a 3.40 ERA but missed a month with a right side strain and has struggled since. He is 3-2 with a 7.50 ERA in August and will try to finish the month strong against a team against whom he is 1-1 with a 4.97 ERA in two career starts.Colorado is facing similar struggles, sitting in last place in the NL West after reaching the playoffs the past two years. The Rockies have lost seven of nine games, and their roster includes several players who were in Triple-A a few weeks ago.Injuries have given Gonzalez (0-5, 6.43) an opportunity to start in the Rockies' rotation. Gonzalez, who has never faced Pittsburgh, is 0-2 with an 8.22 ERA in four August appearances, including three starts. His struggles mirror the fortunes of the team.Colorado is in a two-month slump that continued with a 7-4 loss to Boston on Wednesday night. The biggest highlight in the two-game series against the Red Sox was rookie Sam Hilliard homering in the eighth inning of his major league debut in front of his family on Tuesday night."I had a little bit of jitters going early, but after my walk (in the sixth), I finally saw some pitches and definitely felt better at the plate after that," Hilliard said after the game.--Field Level Media
Looking for More Picks?
You can browse all the individual handicapper picks below.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Colorado Rockies
Pick Center
MLB
FINAL (8/29/2019)
ProfessorsPicks
