PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) — Despite six no-hit innings from Pirates starting pitcher James McDonald, the Pirates couldn’t muster enough run support to beat the Colorado Rockies Wednesday in Game 1 of a double-header, losing, 2-1.

McDonald pitched seven innings, allowing just one run on one hit. He struck out eight while walking three.

After Carlos Gonzalez walked, Colorado got its first hit of the game when Troy Tulowitzki reached base on an infield single. His sharply hit grounder went in and out of the glove of a diving Pedro Alvarez. Shortstop Clint Barmes couldn’t get to the ball in time to throw out Tulowitzki.

After a wild pitch by McDonald moved Gonzalez and Tulowitzki to second and third, Jason Giambi hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Gonzalez for a 1-0 Rockies lead.

Alvarez led off the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run to right-center field, tying the game.

However, Pirates reliever Tony Watson allowed a sacrifice fly to Tyler Colvin in the top of the eighth to put Colorado back on top for good, 2-1.

The Buccos registered nine hits on the afternoon but couldn’t turn enough of those into runs. Every Pittsburgh starter, including McDonald, had a hit in Game 1.

The Pirates and Rockies play the second game of this double-header at 3:55 p.m.

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Chris Gates | Bucs Blog
Twitter.com/Chris_Gates
Chris.Gates@cbsradio.com