Pittsburgh’s PNC Park has never been a friendly stadium for the Colorado Rockies, and tonight was no exception, despite some late-game hits.
For the first six innings of the game, the Rockies went hitless in the face of Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes.
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Although they would not be no-hit, the Rockies would be unable to put together enough offense for a win, despite solid pitching from Michael Lorenzen. Instead, they lost 3-1.
Michael Lorenzen? Gave the Rockies a chance
After getting behind early in the first, Lorenzen settled in, and although he surrendered hits, the Pirates did not score again until the fifth.
Given Lorenzen’s struggles in New York, there were questions as to how he would hold up against the Pirates, but he relied on his changeup, held his own, and gave the Rockies a chance.
In five innings pitched, he gave up two runs (both earned) on five hits. Lorenzen struck out five and walked two.
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He now has a 6.55 ERA.
“Mike was good for us. That’s what we expect of him,” Schaeffer said.
He left the game with the Rockies down 2-0, but the loss was on an offense unable to figure out Skenes, not Lorenzen’s pitching.
The Rockies offense? Unable to handle Skenes
Once again, the Rockies offense failed to rise to the occasion.
The Pirates got on the board first when Nick Gonzales hit an RBI single that brought home Oneil Cruz — who led off the game with a double.
After a rough first inning that left the Rockies in a 1-0 hole, Lorenzen did settled in and did not allow the Pirates to score again until the fifth inning. However, it didn’t matter.
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The Rockies did not manage to put the ball in play until the third inning. Prior to that, the first six batters all struck out. After the second inning, the Rockies managed to put the ball in play but remained hitless.
That said, please take a moment to appreciate this very fine defensive work by Tyler Freeman.
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The Pirates were out of challenges and ABS challenges before the third inning ended, but given that the Rockies did not score — or even threaten to — until the end of the game, the lack of challenges was never a factor.
In the fifth, the Rockies had their first base runner when Troy Johnston was hit by a pitch on a Skenes 2-1 changeup. However, he was promptly caught stealing (and it wasn’t even close), ending the inning.
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In the bottom of the fifth, the Pirates notched their second run after Brandon Lowe brought home Cruz again. The fifth closed 2-0 Pirates.
Finally in the seventh inning, the Rockies got their first hit — a Mickey Moniak single. The Rockies were unable to capitalize, but at least they would not be no-hit!
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Lorenzen left the game after the fifth inning, and turned the game over to the bullpen.
Skenes came back out for the eighth inning, and Johnston managed to hit a double with one out, but the Rockies again failed to score.
In the ninth, the Pirates turned to Gregory Soto, who had allowed just six hits in 20.1 IP prior. He retired Kyle Karros and Brenton Doyle, but Jordan Beck had different plans. After seeing 10 pitches, he hit a double.
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Hunter Goodman followed up with his own double, which brought Beck home and scored the Rockies first run.
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However, a TJ Rumfield ground ball ended the game.
The bullpen? Uneven
The Rockies used multiple relievers tonight, which seemed a bit unusual given their tendency to turn to long relievers.
Seth Halvorsen struck out three in the sixth and passed the baton to Victor Vodnik in the seventh, who struggled with his command. Vodnik gave up a walk and three singles, one of which scored a run.
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However, Victor Vodnik struggled. On 26 pitches (13 for strikes), he allowed one run (earned) on three hits and a walk.
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Jaden Hill’s appearance was fleeting. He entered the game with bases loaded and threw just two pitches to end the inning.
The eighth inning went to Jimmy Herget who did not allow any runs, but it was close. He allowed one hit — a leadoff double to Gonzales — one walk, and one strikeout on 22 pitches.
Paul Skenes? Still great
Paul Skenes has two NL Cy Young Awards at home on his mantle for a reason: He’s an exceptional pitcher. And the Rockies got to witness that for themselves tonight.
He tossed eight almost flawless innings, giving up no runs and just two hits on 98 pitches. He struck out 10 and walked one, allowing just one hard-hit ball.
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Granted, the Rockies offense is not good, but Skenes is a great pitcher, and tonight, his stuff was working. He now has a 1.98 ERA.
“He was really good,” manager Warren Schaeffer said.
Reader, Paul Skenes is really, really good.
Up Next
The Rockies will meet the Pirates for Game 2 tomorrow at 4:40 pm when José Quintana will face Mitch Keller.
See you then!
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