The Colorado Rockies got six strong innings from German Marquez and home runs from Trevor Story and Charlie Blackmon as they opened their road series in Pittsburgh with a 6-2 win over the Pirates Monday.
Monday night’s affair very much resembled the Rockies’ home Opening Day when it came to the weather — a chilly 36 degrees at first pitch in PNC Park. Marquez, who also started the Rockies’ home opener — in short-sleeves — learned his lesson; walking out to the mound with long sleeves on and ready to build off of his short start from last Wednesday, when he pitched three innings before being ejected as a part of the brawl that resulted in Nolan Arenado and Gerardo Parra‘s ejection and suspension.
Marquez retired 11 batters in a row at one point Monday and carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning before a Francisco Cervelli triple got past a diving Carlos Gonzalez. Trying to protect Marquez’s no-hit bid, Gonzalez made a diving attempt at the grab, but came up only inches short. Colin Moran‘s sacrifice fly would bring in Cervelli for the Pirates’ first run of the game.
More trouble came in the sixth inning for Marquez, as he walked Gregory Polanco with two outs, and Polanco was driven in for the Pirates’ second run of the game when Starling Marte hit a triple. Marquez would finish the inning with a strikeout on Josh Bell to end his night.
Earlier in the game, the Rockies jumped on Pirates starter Steven Brault. After D.J. LeMahieu walked to lead off the game, Chris Iannetta doubled LeMahieu in, then advanced to third on a wild pitch before Charlie Blackmon’s ground out drove in the run.
A couple innings later, Colorado drove the dagger into the Pirates with a three-run home run from Trevor Story — his fourth of the year. For added insurance, Blackmon would belt his seventh home run of the year.
The bullpen would finish the job for Colorado, who got six quick outs from Chris Rusin before Adam Ottavino shut the door with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
What’s next
Chad Bettis (2-0) takes the mound for the Rockies on Tuesday opposing Trevor Williams (3-0) in a battle of undefeated starting pitchers. Williams has been stellar for the Pirates in 2018 so far, pitching 17.1 innings and only allowing three runs on the season.
