PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Rockies came back off Richard Rodriguez in the ninth to avoid the sweep with a 4-3 win at PNC Park.
Rodriguez got the Bucs out of a jam in the 8th striking out Dom Tapia with the bases loaded to keep the game 3-2. A potential Pirates All-Star, Rodriguez would get Yonathan Daza to fly out to start the 9th, then a walk on a battling at bat by Ryan McMahon. Charlie Blackmon drove McMahon home with a double off the wall. Slippery Rock star Matt Adams drove in his 31st career run against the Pirates with a single to center to give Colorado the lead.
“I’m out here competing giving everything I have,” Rodriguez said. “Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Unfortunately we didn’t come out with a W today.”
Kyle Crick gave up a run in the 8th. Sam Howard walked a pair, although stranded them with a couple of strikeouts.
“Our bullpen has been outstanding,” manager Derek Shelton said. “I think if we thought he would go a whole year and we weren’t going to have a tough outing by our bullpen. We would be kidding ourselves.”
It’s Rodriguez’s first loss since August 29 of last year and only the third outing he’s been scored on this year, although it’s runs in back-to-back games. It’s also the first time allowing multiple runs in an inning in 32 games.
“Move on from it,” Shelton said of recovering from a bad bullpen day. “These guys have been really good. Trust them all, like handing all of them the ball. Today we just didn’t execute pitches.”
“Even though we didn’t come out with a win,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t think there are any adjustments that need to be made. This game is tough. This isn’t an easy game. We will come back stronger.”
DeJong strong
There was speculation it would be the return of Chad Kuhl on Sunday or that Miguel Yahure would get another shot, but instead the Pirates cleared a roster spot by designating Ildemaro Vargas for assignment and calling up Chase DeJong.
The righty pitched in the Independent League last year and went 5 innings, allowing 3 hits, a run with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts.
“Anytime I get to take a ball on a Major League mound is a privilege,” DeJong said. “To be back here is exactly that. I didn’t take it lightly. I enjoyed being back out there with another team. I consider myself very blessed to have this opportunity.”
GM Ben Cherington said DeJong may get another spot in the rotation, DeJong said he was not sure what the future holds.
Related
While only one hit on the game, Adam Frazier drove in two of the three runs with a double and a ground out. Ka’ai Tom drove in the other on an infield single.
Up Next
A 2-game series in Kansas City with Chad Kuhl returning to start against LHP Mike Minor (3-2, 4.83 ERA) at 8:10 on 93.7 The Fan.