Pirates Roll Rockies for Rubber Match Win; O’Hearn Leads Charge
PITTSBURGH — A big day from Ryan O’Hearn and the offense lifted the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-2 rubber match win over the Colorado Rockies at PNC Park on Thursday afternoon.
Scoring Plays
Bottom 1st, 3-0 PIT: The Pirates (24-20) jumped on Rockies starter Chase Dollander (3-3) for three runs. Bryan Reynolds singled home Oneil Cruz and scored on a Ryan O’Hearn two-run home run to right-center. It was O’Hearn’s second home run in as many games.
Bottom 3rd, 6-0 PIT: Endy Rodríguez plated a pair of runs with a base hit up the middle off Brennan Bernadino. Later in the inning, Cruz padded the lead with an RBI groundout with the bases loaded against Victor Vodnik.
Top 4th, 6-2 PIT: With two on and two outs, Troy Johnston got the Rockies (17-27) on the board with a double to right field off Carmen Mlodzinski (3-3).
Bottom 5th, 7-2 PIT: Three batters after Spencer Horwitz led off with a double, Jared Triolo plated him with an RBI single up the middle off Tanner Gordon.
Key Moments
Ryan O’Hearn’s 413-foot two-run home run in the top of the first helped keep the Pirates out in front for the duration of the game.
The Rockies threatened to make things interesting in the top of the seventh with two on and one out but Carmen Mlodzinski got Edouard Julien to bounce into an inning-ending double play.
Player of the Game
Ryan O’Hearn finished 3 for 4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. He’s had multiple hits in two straight games and three of his last five.
Stat to Know
After stealing base in the second inning, Konnor Griffin became the first Pirate to be successful in each of the first 10 stolen bases attempts of his career since Chase d’Arnaud (11) in 2011.
Notable Performances
- Mason Montgomery: 1.0 inning, one hit, no runs, no walks, three strikeouts, 14 pitches/11 strikes
- Carmen Mlodzinski: 5.0 innings, four hits, two runs, three walks, two strikeouts, 76 pitches/45 strikes
- Ryan O’Hearn: 3 for 4, one home run, two RBI, two runs
- Endy Rodríguez: 2 for 3, one double, two RBI, one walk
- Jared Triolo: 2 for 3, one RBI, one walk
- Konnor Griffin: 2 for 4, one run, one steal
Noteworthy
- Mason Montgomery, who was used as an opener in the first inning, has not allowed a run in any of his last 12 appearances (12 innings).
- The Pirates have won or tied 11 of their last 12 series with the Rockies since the start of the 2014 season. They’re 45-27 (.625) against Colorado during that time.
- Rockies starter Chase Dollander exited the game during the bottom of the second inning with right arm tightness.
Up Next
The Pirates will welcome the Phillies to PNC Park in the battle of the Keystone State at PNC Park this weekend. RHP Braxton Ashcraft (2-2, 2.77 ERA) takes the ball on Friday for Pittsburgh. RHP Aaron Nola (2-3, 5.14 ERA) will pitch for Philadelphia. First pitch: 6:40 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh/93.7 The Fan.
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