Rockies suffer fourth walk-off loss, fall to Pirates despite strong pitching
Gene J. Puskar
The Rockies suffered their fourth walk-off loss on Friday against the Pirates and ended their chances at their first back-to-back win.
Austin Gomber logged his third start of at least six innings this year and the first without a run allowed. It went to waste after the offense had one hit.
At 22 years old, Pirates’ starter Jared Jones became the youngest pitcher since 2018 to throw seven innings, allowing one or fewer hits and striking out 10. He did it without issuing a walk.
“We did all the homework on him — a ton of video, made some phone calls to scouts,” manager Bud Black said. “But as advertised, it was a good fastball, (and) ability to spin the ball.”
Pirates 1, Rockies 0
What happened: Jared Jones’ seven scoreless innings for the Pirates outdid Austin Gomber’s six for the Rockies, Jack Suwinski ended it with a walk-off single for Pittsburgh.
On the mound: Austin Gomber went a season-best six scoreless innings and struck out three. He worked around four hits and two walks to log his second quality start and lower his earned run average to 3.79. Victor Vodnik threw two scoreless before Nick Mears allowed two hits and walked two — one intentional — in the walk-off ninth.
At the plate: Elias Díaz’s fifth-inning leadoff double went to waste as Colorado’s only hit in Saturday’s loss. The Rockies drew five walks, which was one short of tying their season-high, but didn’t have a runner reach third, thanks to 11 strikeouts.
What’s next: Colorado Rockies (RHP Ryan Feltner, 1-2) at Pittsburgh Pirates (LHP Bailey Falter, 2-2) at 11:35 a.m. on Sunday at PNC Park (Rockies.TV).