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 Matt Joyce hit a three-run homer and Jeff Locke pitched six
scoreless innings, giving the Pirates a much-needed strong start.
The Pirates' bullpen had to work seven innings Sunday and blew two
saves before Pittsburgh triumphed 12-10 in 13 innings at Arizona.
"Cervy and I had a good game plan today," said Locke, referring to
catcher Francisco Cervelli. "They're a team that seemed to chase a
little bit more north and south than east and west. We elevated a
lot of fastballs and made some good pitches. Feel like we really
didn't get too predictable the whole time. I think that's what made
us successful."
A.J. Schugel, who grew up in the Denver area, worked 2 1/3 scoreless
innings to earn his first major league save.
The Rockies went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and
stranded 11 runners. Locke (1-2) accounted for eight of the Pirates'
nine strikeouts, six of which were called as the Rockies had
problems throughout the game with plate umpire Lance Barrett's
strike zone.
 Colorado manager Walt Weiss was ejected when he went out in the
fourth to protect Nick Hundley after his catcher took a called third
strike and began arguing.
"I don't know how much I want to get fined right now," Hundley said
when asked about Barrett's calls. "I'll leave it at that. You guys
watched the game. The plate is supposedly 17 inches wide, so I'll
leave it at that."
Nolan Arenado and Ryan Raburn walked away upset when they were
called out on strikes on consecutive at-bats to end the first with
runners on first and second. In the sixth, Rayburn was again called
out on strikes, and he was ejected while walking away from the
plate.
"It's a one-run ballgame at the time (in the sixth)," Raburn said.
"Those are not good calls. They're not good at all. I don't know
what else to do. Try to tell them they ain't strikes, I guess he
didn't like it.
"We're playing our tails off. Our pitcher's out there battling his
tail off. It's unfortunate, but I don't think I did anything that
terrible to get called out. It'd be one thing if they were
borderline calls, but those are not borderline calls."
Joyce highlighted a four-run seventh that gave the Pirates a 5-0
lead with a drive over the left-center-field fence. The blast came
against Scott Oberg, whom the Rockies called up earlier in the day
from Triple-A Albuquerque.
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The Pirates scored their first run of the seventh on a wild pitch by
Rockies starter Chad Bettis (2-1) with two outs and runners on first
and third. Bettis threw a career-high 114 pitches, recorded 15 outs
on ground balls and allowed six hits but was charged with four runs
thanks to Oberg's misstep.
After Locke left, the Rockies broke through in the seventh against
Rob Scahill, who began his career in the Colorado organization.
Singles by DJ LeMahieu and pinch hitter Cristian Adames put runners
at first and third, and Colorado scored when Gerardo Parra grounded
into a force play.
With two outs, Scahill walked Carlos Gonzalez and gave way to
Schugel.
Schugel ended the game by getting Gonzalez to ground out to first
baseman Sean Rodriguez. Schugel, whose last professional save was
April 23, 2011, while pitching for low Class A Cedar Rapids, wasn't
aware of his personal milestone.
"Sean's like, 'Do you want the ball?'" Schugel said. "'I guess I'll
keep it.' He's like, 'That's a save.' I said, 'Yeah, I'll keep it.'"
NOTES: The game was delayed by rain for 30 minutes in the bottom of
the second inning. ... Rockies RHP Jordan Lyles was optioned to
Triple-A Albuquerque one day after he allowed seven runs (five
earned) on five hits and five walks in 2 2/3 innings. Lyles is 1-1
with a 7.64 ERA in four starts with the Rockies. ... Colorado LHP
Chris Rusin, who was pitching in long relief, will start Friday at
Arizona, taking Lyles' rotation spot. ... Rockies C Nick Hundley
(concussion) was activated, and C Dustin Garneau was optioned to
Albuquerque. ... Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen got the day off. He
went 3-for-23 (.130) in his past five games. He started the Pirates'
previous 19 games and played 16 in their entirety, including
Sunday's 13-inning win at Arizona that lasted 5 hours, 25 minutes.
...Pirates 1B Sean Rodriguez, who starts against left-handed
pitchers and, hence, is expected to be in the lineup Tuesday, has
reached base safely 15 times in his first 30 plate appearances this
season.
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