Pirates’ Bats Come Alive in 6th Inning to Defeat Rockies 5-3

PITTSBURGH — For the first time in what feels like forever, the Pittsburgh Pirates came alive at the plate in the sixth inning and defeated the Colorado Rockies 5-3 at PNC Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Pirates (16–19) put up four runs in the sixth inning to turn a two-run deficit into a two-run lead. Oneil Cruz’s two-run home run was the loudest swing of the inning. The Pirates’ shortstop launched a ball off the roof of the Miller Lite bar in right-center field.

Oneil Cruz. 429 Feet. 106.5 MPH off the bat. pic.twitter.com/7r0rVVS091

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 5, 2024

Ke’Bryan Hayes drove in Connor Joe from third base on a groundout to short for the first run of the inning and Saturday’s hero Jack Suwinski drove in Rowdy Tellez with a base hit to put Pittsburgh ahead by two runs.

It was Tellez who was responsible for getting the Pirates on the board with an run-scoring groundout in the fourth.

All five runs came against Rockies starter Ryan Feltner (1-3), who allowed eight hits and struck out three in 5.2 innings pitched.

Bryan Reynolds, who had been hitless in 11 straight at-bats, went 2 for 4 with a double and his first triple of the season. Cruz also chipped in a pair of hits.

Former Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings opened the scoring with a two-run home run to straightaway center. He was followed by Sean Bouchard, who belted his first home run of the season to left field to give the Rockies (8-26) back-to-back jacks. 

After that, Falter settled in and kept the Pirates within striking distance. Those were the only runs the left-hander allowed in 5.1 innings pitched. He allowed six hits, walked a pair and struck out three. 

Luis Ortiz (2-1) relieved Falter and stranded a pair of inherited runners. He was the pitcher of record for the Pirates. David Bednar sealed the win for his sixth save of the season. 

The win resulted in a series victory for the Pirates, giving them their first since taking two of three against the Baltimore Orioles in the first home series of the year.

Up Next

On Monday, the Pirates will welcome the Los Angeles Angels to town for the start of a three-game series. Mitch Keller (2-3, 5.18 ERA) will start for Pittsburgh. Former Pirate Tyler Anderson (2-3, 2.23 ERA) will be on the mound for the Angels. First pitch: 6:40 ET.