McCutchen Hits Another Home Run, But Bucs Fall 4-1
COLORADO (KDKA/AP) -- The Pirates continued their three-game series against the Rockies Saturday night in Colorado.
Andrew McCutchen hit another home run, but it wasn't enough to help the Bucs as they fell 4-1. McCutchen's eight leadoff homers rank third on the Pirates' all-time list behind Barry Bonds (20) and Al Martin (10).
For the Rockies, Chris Iannetta had a three-run homer.
The Pirates also lost left fielder Jose Tabata to a right hamstring injury in the first inning. He hit a groundball to shortstop and as he ran down the line, he appeared to begin favoring his right leg, limping slightly as he made his way back to the dugout. He was replaced by Matt Diaz.
Colorado's Jason Hammel (3-1) allowed six hits, including McCutchen's homer. But Hammel kept the Pirates in check after that, striking out four and walking two. He also benefited from a Rockies defense that turned three double plays.
Rafael Betancourt pitched a scoreless eighth and Huston Street got the final three outs for his NL-leading 10th save in 10 chances.
Bouncing back a day after their first shutout loss to Pittsburgh in 65 games between the teams at Coors Field, the Rockies went in front with a four-run second inning, fueled by some of their slumping hitters.
Carlos Gonzalez, dropped down before the game from third to fifth in the batting order, doubled off the left-field wall to start the burst. Jose Lopez and Seth Smith had successive infield singles, tying it at 1. Iannetta, who entered the game batting .173, followed with a drive off Paul Maholm that cleared the center-field fence.
Maholm (1-4) allowed four runs on seven hits in seven innings but continued to be plagued by a lack of run support. The Pirates have scored one run or less while he has been on the mound in all of his losses this season.
Maholm fanned three and walked three and dropped to 1-6 with a 7.12 ERA in seven career starts at Coors Field.
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