Rodriguez/O’Hearn drive in 2 as Pirates take series

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Eight of the nine in the Pirates starting lineup got on base, five drove in runs as the Pirates beat the Rockies 7-2 to take the series Thursday afternoon at PNC Park.

Pirates scored three in the first as Oneil Cruz led off the inning with a double, which was more of a fly ball miscommunication between the Rockies center and left fielders. Bryan Reynolds drove Cruz in, then a 413-foot home run by Ryan O’Hearn gave the Bucs an early lead.

Catcher Endy Rodriguez with a two-run single in the third, followed a Cruz RBI to make it 6-0.

Jared Triolo’s single drove in a run in the fifth.

Welcome back Endy

Returning after two short seasons following elbow surgery, Rodriguez made his first start since June 4, 2025 and led off with his first double since that same date. The single in his next at bat was Rodriguez’s first MLB RBI in 405 days. He would go 2-3 with a walk and 2 RBI.

“We’re seeing good trends with the offense, his offense,” said Pirates GM Ben Cherington, also praising his defense. “He’s up here because Bart’s on the IL. We’ll see how long that lasts. We have a ton of confidence in him. He’s a really talented player. We believe he can be an everyday catcher in the long term. I’m excited to see him play in a Major League game today for the first time in a long time.

Opener

For the second time this season, left-handed reliever Mason Montgomery started a game Again it went well, Montgomery struck out the side with a two-out single worked in.

"Man, just try to keep it the same. It's definitely different," Montgomery said. "I do everything I can to mimic coming out of the bullpen. Just go out there slightly earlier and get loose and run out from the 'pen.

With a pair of lefties in the next inning, Pirates manager Don Kelly stayed with a left-handed reliever and Evan Sisk worked a perfect inning in the second before Carmen Mlodzinski, who has started seven games, appeared.

Mlodzinski gave up a pair of runs on four hits, three walks and two strikeouts over five innings. Dennis Santana pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning. Yohan Ramirez finished the game facing three batters in the ninth.

"I thought we did a really good job," Kelly said. "Monty and Sisk starting it off and then Carmen being able to go five, and Santana and Yohan did a good job finishing it off."

Up Next

A big three-game series with the Phillies with RHP Braxton Ashcraft (2-2, 2.77 ERA) starting against Philadelphia veteran RHP Aaron Nola (2-3, 5.14 ERA). North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show begins at 5:45 with first pitch at 6:40 on 93.7 The Fan.

"I think yesterday was a tough game to lose," Kelly said. "We've talked about it throughout the season, being able to bounce back. To come up in the first inning, set the tone like that and put three across, O'Hearn with the big home run, and then continue to grind at-bats out, I think that is the big key. When we're clicking, we're getting those big base hits, it's nice to have. Even if we do get down a little bit, you don't have the feeling that we're out of it."

"I think the confidence is there with every guy in the clubhouse, not just from this series win, but through the whole year honestly," Mlodzinski said. "We've got a good club and we're aggressive and very athletic, which I feel like is the biggest difference this year. We're playing hard and we're competing at a really high level. Going into this next series, we know it's going to be packed house, in-state rival in a sense with Philly. The series against them have always been really fun. I think we're looking forward to it."