Suwinski Gives Pirates Walk-Off Win Over Rockies After Jones’ Dominant Start

PITTSBURGH — Jack Suwinski delivered a pinch-hit walk-off for the Pittsburgh Pirates for a 1-0 win over the Colorado Rockies after Jared Jones delivered a brilliant start at PNC Park on Saturday evening.

Connor Joe, who recorded a pair of hits and reached base three times, opened up the bottom of the ninth with a single through the left side of the infield and advanced to second on a one-out wild pitch.

Joe moved up to third base on a Yasmani Grandal groundout before Jared Triolo walked to bring up Oneil Cruz, who was intentionally walked.

Suwinski lined a single the other way off of Nick Mears (0-3) to give the Pirates (15-19) the win, putting an end to their five-game losing streak.

David Bednar (2-2) tossed a 1-2-3 top of the ninth inning and was awarded the win for his efforts.

The Rockies (8-25) didn’t have a baserunner against Jones until Elías Díaz ripped a double to left field to begin the fifth inning. The Pirates’ right-hander retired the next three batters to keep the game at a scoreless tie. 

Jones set a career-high with seven innings pitched and matched his career-best with 10 strikeouts. Díaz ended up being the lone batter to reach against Jones in what was the best start of his impressive young career. 

Jones joins José DeLeón as the only two pitchers in Pirates’ history with two games of 10 strikeouts within their first seven starts. He became one of five Pirates’ pitchers all-time with an outing of seven-plus shutout innings with one or fewer hits allowed and 10 strikeouts.

Up Next:

The Pirates and Rockies will wrap up their three-game series on Sunday afternoon. Bailey Falter (2-2, 4.22 ERA) will pitch for Pittsburgh and will be opposed by Ryan Feltner (1-2, 5.13 ERA). First pitch: 1:35 ET.