LeMahieu, De La Rosa Lead Rockies To 11-5 Win Over Pirates
DENVER (AP) - DJ LeMahieu homered, doubled and drove in three runs, reliever Jorge De La Rosa settled down a slugfest with four perfect innings and the Colorado Rockies beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-5 on Thursday.
The game was a makeup of the April 28 contest that was postponed by weather.
Ryan Raburn, Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado each drove in two runs as Colorado snapped an eight-game skid to the Pirates at Coors Field.
De La Rosa (2-4) retired all 12 batters he faced after starter Chad Bettis struggled. De La Rosa also brought in a run with a bunt.
Jeff Locke (5-4) had his four-game winning streak halted. He surrendered 11 runs and saw his ERA soar from 4.28 to 5.38.
This was a drastic change from the way Locke pitched at Coors Field on April 25. That day, he threw six scoreless innings and struck out eight.
The Rockies arrived in town from Los Angeles at 3:12 a.m. Thursday, but their bats never slumbered. The only position player not to have a hit was Mark Reynolds, who did drive in a run with a ground out in a four-run first that helped set the tone.
Pittsburgh interrupted a long homestand for the quick turn-around trip to Colorado. Down 6-1 in the third, the Pirates scored four times off Bettis. David Freese led the surge with a three-run homer.
The Pirates only had one baserunner after the third inning - a walk by Freese in the eighth.
That was due to Rockies relievers led by De La Rosa. The struggling lefty was moved to the bullpen last month to hone his mechanics, but rediscovered his command by striking out five. He was helped out by Arenado, who made two phenomenal bare-handed plays at third base.
LeMahieu gave the Rockies a 8-5 lead with a two-run homer in the fourth.
Bettis was pulled after three innings and allowing five runs (four earned). He is 0-3 with an 11.57 ERA in his last four starts.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Pirates: Due to a worn-out pitching staff, the Pirates optioned RHP Jameson Taillon to Triple-A Indianapolis and recalled LHP Kyle Lobstein, who threw 2 1-3 scoreless innings. ... OF Starling Marte (bruised left ankle) returned to the starting lineup Thursday. He had an RBI single in the first.
Rockies: OF Carlos Gonzalez was given the day off. He's coming off a series in Los Angeles where he struck out 10 times over three games. ... C Tony Wolters (concussion) will begin a rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Albuquerque.
PENGUINS FEVER
The Pirates donned Penguins jerseys for the plane ride in support of their city's sports brethren playing in the Stanley Cup final against San Jose.
Manager Clint Hurdle even had four tickets to Game 5 on Thursday night in Pittsburgh, but obviously couldn't use them. He gave the coveted seats to his sister.
"I've never witnessed a Stanley Cup playoff game," Hurdle said. "I'm not taking it personally; I'm going to embrace my sister and brother-in-law's joy."
UP NEXT
Pirates: RHP Gerrit Cole (5-4) remained in Pittsburgh to get ready for his start Friday against St. Louis. The Cardinals will throw RHP Michael Wacha (2-6).
Rockies: RHP Jon Gray (4-2) will make his second straight start against San Diego on Friday. He struck out a career-high 12 in seven innings last Sunday at San Diego.
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