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Pirates Win 2nd Straight in Denver

07/29/2010

Garrett Jones recorded four hits, including two solo home runs, and drove in three runs on Wednesday, and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Colorado Rockies 6-2 for their second consecutive win in Denver.

Neil Walker drove in two runs, Andrew McCutchen had a three-hit night, and Pedro Alvarez tallied an RBI.  The Bucs outhit the Rockies 11-10.

Pittsburgh finally prouced some runs in a game started by Ross Ohlendorf, who was 1-8.  Ironically, Ohlendorf will not get the win after having left the game because he was hit in the face by a line drive by Troy Tulowitzki in the first inning.  Ohlendorf was taken to a hospital, was given a CT scan which proved negative, and was back at Coors Field in time to see the Pirates (36-64) complete the win in their 100th game of the season.

The Bucs used six relievers, the first of whom, Sean Gallagher (1-0), earned the win, replacing Ohlendorf with two outs in the first inning and pitching three hits of scoreless, hitless baseball.  The game also marked the Pirates debut of veteran pitcher Wil Ledezma, who has spent time with Detroit and Washington.  Ledezma (0-1, 8 saves, 0.94 ERA at "AAA" Indianapolis) retired all four batters he faced in his first appearance since Pittsburgh called him up from the minors.

Jones came to the plate in the eighth inning, needing a triple to hit for the cycle.  Instead, he slammed his second homer of the game and his 14th of the season.

Carlos Gonzalez homered for Colorado.  The Rockies' first run came on the Tulowitzki liner off Ohlendorf's face.

The Pirates will play one more against Colorado on Thursday afternoon.  The Rockies (51-50) have now lost eight straight games, and 10 of their last twelve, but Pittsburgh must now face Ubaldo Jimenez, who is 15-2 and has pitched a no-hitter this season.

  Tim Shaw