|
 Shortstop Josh Rutledge doubled home three runs in the uprising
and Carlos Gonzalez hit a two-run homer, his 10th home run of the
season.
Rutledge finished with four RBIs, tying his career high.
The seven-run outburst was the Rockies' second biggest inning of the
season. They scored eight runs in the fifth inning on May 3 against
the New York Mets.
The Pirates scored in the ninth inning, thwarting the Rockies' quest
for their first shutout at Coors Field since Sept. 28, 2013.
Rockies starter Brett Anderson pitched 6 1/3 innings before leaving
with a blister on his left index finger. He was cruising along when
he walked Pirates catcher Russell Martin for the third straight time
on his 102nd and final pitch.
"I noticed (the blister) in the bottom of the sixth and then started
throwing some breaking balls there in the seventh," Anderson said.
"Hopefully, got it before anything major -- didn't break open or
anything. I don't foresee it to be any problem."
Anderson (1-3) missed three months with a broken left index finger
and was making his third start since he returned July 13. The win
was Anderson's first in the National League and first since April 7,
2013, while with the Oakland Athletics.
 "He knows what he wants to do, and he does it with a lot of
conviction and it shows," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "He's got
a tremendous feel for pitching, and he knows how to execute a game
plan."
The Rockies had four hits through the sixth, including Rutledge's
run-scoring double in the third, before erupting for six hits,
including four doubles and a homer, in the seventh. The rally began
with back-to-back doubles by first baseman Ben Paulsen and catcher
Wilin Rosario. Second baseman DJ LeMahieu followed with a single
that finished Pirates starter Charlie Morton (5-10), who was 2-0
with a 3.16 ERA in five previous career starts against the Rockies.
"A hanging breaking ball for a double," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle
said. "An elevated sinker for another extra-base hit and they roll a
ground ball through the left side, which chased Charlie."
Ernesto Frieri came on, and pinch-hitter Drew Stubbs chopped a
run-scoring bouncer over the head of Pedro Alvarez at third base
that went for a double. After an intentional walk to center fielder
Charlie Blackmon with runners at second and third, Rutledge cleared
the bases with his double to left center off Frieri. Gonzalez
followed with his home run.
"He's done a good job for us," Hurdle said of Frieri, "was headed in
the right direction. Wasn't quite able to quite execute the pitches
that he needed to. So they piled up seven on us."
Matt Belisle was unable to finish the Pirates off in the ninth,
retiring one of the five batters he faced on a sacrifice fly before
Adam Ottavino got the final two outs.
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The win was just the eighth in 33 games for the Rockies dating to
June 16, but it was their second straight victory. The Pirates, who
began a 10-game trip with stops in San Francisco and Arizona, lost
for just the third time in nine games.
Anderson held the Pirates hitless until second baseman Neil Walker
led off the fifth with an opposite-field single to right and
finished with 11 ground ball outs. He got a double play that was
very nearly an around-the-horn triple play in the sixth, which ended
when he got Morton to ground out with runners on first and second.
Anderson faced the Pirates for the second straight start, and in two
outings allowed one run and six hits in 13 1/3 innings.
"I'm glad we don't have to see him anymore," Hurdle said. "He's been
as effective as any pitcher we've seen this season. Seen him
back-to-back. Good glove-side command, a very good mix of pitches."
Weiss pulled third baseman Nolan Arenado after the fourth when he
initially ran slowly on a comebacker and then hard after Morton
bobbled the ball, but was out at first base on a close play.
"We talk a lot about playing the game hard and playing the game
right and how important that is," Weiss said. "Especially, when
you're getting your (butt) kicked for a while -- it's even more
important. It's imperative. So I just felt like Nolan didn't meet
that standard at that point."
NOTES: Pirates RHP Gerrit Cole (right lat soreness) threw a 55-pitch
bullpen session without issue for Triple-A Indianapolis at Rochester
and will make an 80-pitch rehab start there Monday. ... Pirates 3B
Pedro Alvarez, who left Tuesday's game with left knee discomfort,
was not in the starting lineup for the second straight game but
pinch hit in the seventh and stayed in the game. ... Rockies RHP
Jordan Lyles (broken left hand) will throw about 60 pitches in a
rehab start Saturday for high-Class A Modesto, his first game since
he was injured June 4. ... Rockies RHP Christian Bergman (broken
left hand) is scheduled to make his first rehab start Tuesday and
throw about 60 pitches for Double-A Tulsa. He is eligible to come
off the 60-day disabled list Aug. 20. ... Pirates 2B Neil Walker
singled in the fifth and has reached base in 22 consecutive games,
the longest active streak in the majors.
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