Cruz, Pirates Show Life in 9th Inning but Fall to Rockies 3-2

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates finally showed signs of life on offense in the ninth inning but it wasn’t enough.

Oneil Cruz belted a two-run home run into the Allegheny River to bring the Pirates (14-19) within a run in the game’s final frame, but they were unable to add on and fell 3-2 to the Colorado Rockies.

Cruz’s home run came off of left-hander Jalen Beeks and measured 433 feet with a 111.7 exit velocity.

Oneil Cruz's blast makes it a 1-run game in Pittsburgh 👀 pic.twitter.com/CKv8nTHdVd

— MLB (@MLB) May 4, 2024

Beeks struck out the next two batters to preserve the win and collect his first save of the season.

Cal Quantrill (1-3) worked into the eighth inning, held the Pirates to three hits and struck out nine in 7.2 shutout innings before he was relieved by Jake Bird.

Jalen Beeks recorded the final two outs in the ninth for his first save of the season.

Jared Triolo collected two of the four Pirates’ hits on the night.

Martín Pérez blanked Colorado (8-24) through the first five innings but the wheels came off in the sixth. Ryan McMahon led off the inning with a solo homer to right that landed in the Allegheny River, the first river ball of the night. He became the 49th different player to hit a ball into the water and the second player to homer off of Pérez this season. 

Former Pirates catcher Elias Díaz then  doubled and scored on a Elehuris Montero single to left. Pérez retired the next batter he faced before he was replaced on the mound by Hunter Stratton, who allowed his inherited runner to score on Brendan Rodgers’ base hit.

Pérez (1-2) went 5.1 innings and was charged with three runs on eight hits while striking out four.

With the loss, the Pirates’ losing streak has reached five games with the latest two in shutout fashion. They’ve dropped eight of their last 10.

Up Next

The Pirates and Rockies will continue their weekend series on Saturday. Rookie Jared Jones (2-3, 3.18 ERA) will face off with left-hander Austin Gomber (0-2, 4.50 ERA). First pitch: 4:05 ET.

Housekeeping

• Earlier in the day on Friday, the Pirates activated catcher Yasmani Grandal off the 10-day injured list. Fellow backstop Henry Davis was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.