Coming into Sunday’s afternoon game with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Colorado Rockies were looking to finish the sweep after Friday and Saturday night wins in games that had, well, stressful conclusions. The hope on Sunday was to finish the job in a less-dramatic fashion.
That did not happen as the Rockies bats stayed quiet early while the Pirates offense cranked up the volume on Rockies pitching, and a late-game rally wasn’t enough.
In the end, the Pirates avoided the sweep with a 8-6 win.
Although the Rockies lost the game, they did win the series, their seventh series win of 2026.
The Rockies offense arrived fashionably late — too late
Things began to get serious in the second inning when the Rockies loaded the bases, starting with a leadoff single from Tyler Freeman followed by two walks issued by Jared Jones. A Sterlin Thompson force out got the run home while sending Edouard Julien to the dugout. Still, the Rockies had a one-run lead with two on and just one out.
However, following that, Kyle Karros struck out, and Brett Sullivan flied to center, ending the threat.
Starter Jared Jones left the game after three innings and 45 pitches (28 for strikes). He left after being struck on the right elbow by a comebacker. His final line was one run (earned) on one hit with two walks and three strikeouts. Jones’ ERA is 5.75.
The Pirates answered back in the fourth inning. After Bryan Reynolds hit a lead0ff double, Nick Gonzales finished the job with a homer, and the score was 2-1 Pirates.
The Pirates extended their lead in the fifth when a Jake Mangum double brought home Tyler Callahan, giving the visiting team a 3-1 lead.
As for the Rockies, they were unable to figure out Yohan Ramírez and continued scoreless into the sixth.
In the sixth inning, RHP Juan Mejia entered the game in relief of Lorenzen with one out and runners at the corners. He allowed a single that gave Gonzales an opportunity to score, but a gorgeous throw from right fielder Tyler Freeman to third baseman Kyle Karros gave the Rockies their second out of the sixth. Jake Mangum hit an RBI double that made the score 5-1 Pirates as the top of the sixth ended.
Things got worse in the seventh as Mejia stayed in for a second inning of work. He surrendered two singles to Spencer Horowitz and Brandon Lowe before Bryan Reynolds went yard to make the score 8-1 Pirates.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Rockies showed some offensive life with a Cole Carrigg leadoff single — the Rockies first hit since the second inning. Julien followed that with another single. But even with three outs remaining, the Rockies were unable to capitalize.
The Rockies tried to rally again against Pirates reliever Dennis Santana in the eighth with a Jake McCarthy lead-off single followed a Will Castro single that moved McCarthy to third with no outs. And then TJ Rumfield hit a 387 ft. home run (12) to make the score 8-4.
That was Rumfield’s fifth homer run in his last 11 games.
Gregory Soto came in to close for the Pirates.
Tension was high in Coors Field as Braxton Fulford kicked off the inning with a leadoff walk. Kyle Karros, who had struck out three times, smacked a double to score Fulford, making the score 8-5.
At that point, Schaeffer sent in catcher Hunter Goodman, who had an off-day, to hit. But he struck out, turning over the order with Karros surveying the scene from second with one out.
And then things got interesting.
McCarthy got on base with a single, E4, no RBI, which scored Karros. At that point, the Pirates lead was 8-6 with one out.
However, Willi Castro hit into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning and the game.
The Pirates finished the day with eight runs (earned) on 13 hits, which were spread out across the Pirates lineup. They walked once and struck out five times.
As for the Rockies, they had six runs (five earned) on eight hits. They struck out 10 times compared to four walks.
“It just wasn’t our done on offense,” manager Warren Schaeffer said after the game.
Michael Lorenzen struggled through
For starter Michel Lorenzen, it was another day of trying to find his footing. Although he kept the Rockies in the game through five innings, things began to skid in the sixth.
He left the game after 5.1 IP on 90 pitches, 57 for strikes. He give up four runs (all earned) on seven hits. In addition, he walked one and struck out six.
Lorenzen’s current ERA is 7.11.
“I thought Mike was good,” Schaeffer said. ”I thought that was another building block for him. I thought he pitched very well. He was efficient. He got ahead in counts.“
The bullpen was uneven
Juan Mejia, who entered the game in the sixth inning, went 1.2 IP allowing four runs on give hits. He neither walked nor struck out a batter. Mejia’s current ERA is 6.95.
The eighth and ninth innings went to reliever John Beribbia, whose contract the Rockies had selected earlier in the day. He saw traffic but no runs. Brebbia’s final line was 2.0 IP with one hit, no walks, and one strikeout.
Of Brebbia, Schaeffer said, “He’s efficient. He throws strikes. He’s a veteran that’s not scared of anything.”
Painful fact of the day
Tyler Freeman was HBP for the 12th time this season. He is fourth in MLB in that category.
(Shoutout to Eli Whitney for doing the research on this one.)
Up next
Tomorrow, the Colorado Rockies (30-48) will welcome the Boston Red Sox (31-43) to Coors Field for a three-game stand.
Jake Bennett will take the mound for the Red Sox while Ryan Feltner will start for the Rockies.
First pitch is at 6:40.
See you then.
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