Pirates Clobber Rockies; Chandler Lights it Up in Debut, Hurdle Returns
PITTSBURGH — Braxton Ashcraft shoved, Bubba Chandler got the save in his MLB debut and the Pittsburgh Pirates poured it on the Colorado Rockies in a 9-0 win at PNC Park on Friday night.
How We Got There
Andrew McCutchen put the Pirates (55-74) ahead by a pair with a two-run double in the bottom of the first inning. The Pirates’ designated hitter extended the lead to 5-0 with another two-run double in the fifth after Spencer Horwitz plated a run with a double of his own.
Ashcraft (4-2) struck out a career-high six batters and held the Rockies (37-92) to just one hit across five-shutout innings.
Chandler relieved Ashcraft and surrendered a leadoff double to Orlando Arcia in the sixth. The right-hander left Arcia stranded thanks to a pair of strikeouts, including a 100.4 mph fastball that was cut on and missed by Mickey Moniak for strike three to end the inning. He covered the final four innings for his first-career save.
A solo shot from Horwitz and a two-run blast off the bat of Tommy Pham gave the Pirates three more runs in the bottom of the sixth. Alexander Canario hit a solo homer to right-center in the eighth to extend the lead to 9-0.
Key Moment
Andrew McCutchen’s two-run double in the second inning blew the game open. The pair of rookie pitchers took care of the rest.
Player of the Game
Braxton Ashcraft has allowed one or zero runs in all four of his starts this season He has a 1.10 ERA (2er/16.1ip) when pitching out of the starting rotation.
Stat to Know
Bubba Chandler became the first Pirate and fourth player in MLB history to record a four-inning save in his debut since saves became an official stat in 1969.
Notable Performances
- Braxton Ashcraft: 5.0 innings, one hit, no runs, one walk, six strikeouts, 65 pitches/47 strikes
- Bubba Chandler: 4.0 innings, two hits, no runs, no walks, three strikeouts, 40 pitches/29 strikes
- Tommy Pham: 2 for 3, one home run, one double, two RBI, three runs, one walk
- Spencer Horwitz: 2 for 5, one home run, one double, two RBI, two runs
- Andrew McCutchen: 2 for 4, two doubles, four RBI, one walk
- Henry Davis: 2 for 4, one double
- Jared Triolo: 2 for 4
Noteworthy
- Alexander Canario’s home run was his first since May 16 against the Philadelphia Phillies.
- The Pirates celebrated their 2025 Hall of Fame class consisting of Kiki Cuyler, Vernon Law and Al Oliver in a pregame ceremony.
- Former Pirates manager Clint Hurdle received a nice ovation from the fans in attendance when he was recognized before the start of the second inning. Hurdle is serving as the Rockies bench coach.
- The Pirates selected the contract of RHP Bubba Chandler prior to first pitch. RHP Chase Shugart was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.
Up Next
RHP Mike Burrows (1-4, 4.46 ERA) takes the mound for the Pirates on Saturday. LHP Kyle Freeland (3-12, 5.16 ERA) starts for the Rockies. First pitch: 6:40 p.m. ET.
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