Pittsburgh Pirates Offense Fades In Loss To Rockies

Jul 25, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Pirates started their 10 game road trip with an 8-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies Friday night.

Charlie Morton [5-10] started the game by throwing two hitless innings, the problem for him was that Brett Anderson [1-3] pitched even better and it was Neil Walker’s fifth inning single which ended Anderson’s hitless string.

The Rockies [42-60] scored a run in the third inning. D.J. LeMathieu led off the inning with a triple. Morton retired two hitters however Josh Rutledge hit an RBI double to give Colorado the lead.

Anderson allowed two hits before having to leave the game after 6 2/3 innings of work with an undisclosed injury.

Colorado had a seven run seventh inning and Morton did not record a single out in the frame. Ben Paulson opened the inning with a double and the next batter Wilin Rosario batted him in with another double. LeMathieu then plated Rosario with a single and Morton as a result was pulled from the game.

His mound replacement, Ernestro Frieri did not fare any better. The first batter he faced was Drew Stubbs, and the result was an RBI double. After Charlie Blackmon was intentionally walked, Rutledge cleared the bases with another double. Two batters later Carlos Gonzalez homered to right field. Frieri and Morton were each charged with four total runs.

After Stolmy Pimentel pitched a scoreless eighth inning, the Pirates offense went to work in the ninth. The Pirates [54-48] loaded the bases with no outs against Matt Belisle after Gaby Sanchez singled, Walker walked and Ike Davis singled. Jordy Mercer ensured that a shutout was avoided with a sacrifice fly. Belisle settled down to get the final two outs.

The Pirates will look to tie the series as Jeff Locke [2-1 3.05 ERA] takes on Tyler Matzek [1-4 4.91 ERA] at 8:10 p.m.