Rowdy Tellez had a strong performance, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs, while Jason Delay contributed a pivotal three-run double as the Pittsburgh Pirates triumphed over the Colorado Rockies 8-2 on Sunday in Denver.
Jared Triolo also made an impact with two hits and two RBIs for Pittsburgh. Andrew McCutchen, Nick Gonzales, and Jack Suwinski each added two hits to the Pirates’ offensive barrage. Oneil Cruz returned to the lineup with a single and a double after missing two games due to ankle soreness.
Bryan Reynolds extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a single as the Pirates totaled 15 hits in their victory, clinching two out of three games in the series against the Rockies.
Nolan Jones collected three hits and Jacob Stallings contributed two hits for Colorado, who have now lost five of their last six home games.
The Pirates took an early lead in the second inning when Jared Triolo doubled with two outs and then scored on Jack Suwinski’s single. However, Suwinski was caught trying to steal second base, ending the inning.
Pittsburgh’s starting pitcher, Josh Fleming, kept Colorado in check with just two hits allowed through the first four innings. In the fifth inning, Fleming allowed back-to-back singles to start the frame. Carmen Mlodzinski, who started Friday night’s game, came in to relieve Fleming and induced Hunter Goodman to hit into a double play. Mlodzinski then got Adael Amador to ground out to first base, effectively ending the fifth inning without allowing any runs.
Fleming struck out two batters and did not issue a walk in four-plus innings of work, while Mlodzinski (1-2) secured the win by pitching two innings in relief.
The Pirates expanded their lead in the sixth inning. Dakota Hudson allowed a pair of singles with one out, and both runners advanced when Rowdy Tellez grounded out to first against reliever Victor Vodnik.
Jared Triolo then singled to drive in both runners, pushing the score to 3-0. Jack Suwinski followed with a single, and Michael A. Taylor walked to load the bases. Jason Delay delivered a decisive three-run double into the right field gap, capping a five-run inning for the Pirates.
Hudson (2-9) surrendered three runs on seven hits and struck out five batters in 5 1/3 innings of work.
Tellez added a two-run single in the seventh inning to further extend Pittsburgh’s lead. Colorado avoided being shut out when Jacob Stallings scored on a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the seventh inning, and Nolan Jones drove in a run with a single in the ninth.