Pittsburgh Pirates vs Colorado Rockies Box Score on Jul 22, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Jul 22, 2017

DENVER -- Rookie German Marquez stymied the Pittsburgh Pirates for seven innings Saturday night and won his third straight start in the Colorado Rockies' 7-3 victory.

The loss ended the Pirates' season-high six-game winning streak. It was only their third defeat in the past 15 games and kept Pittsburgh (49-49) from going two games above .500 for the first time this season.

Closer Greg Holland pitched the final 1 1/3 innings to earn his 31st save in 32 opportunities. It was Holland's fourth save where he pitched more than one inning, something he hadn't done in nearly six years. Three of his first four career saves in August 2011 were outings where Holland pitched more than one inning.

Marquez gave up three hits and two runs in seven innings before a sell-out crowd of 48,235 at Coors Field. He walked two and struck out a career-high tying nine for the third time this season and second time in as many starts.

Marquez (8-4) faced four batters with runners in scoring position, three in the first when the Pirates scored a run on Andrew McCutchen's double after a walk to Josh Harrison.

Harrison was the last batter to face Marquez with a runner in scoring position and lined into a double play with one out in the third and a runner on second. Marquez gave up a homer in the fourth to Josh Bell that cut Colorado's lead to 3-2. But after that hit, Marquez retired 12 of the final 13 batters. The exception was McCutchen, whom Marquez hit with a pitch in the sixth.

The benches emptied in the bottom of the sixth when Pirates starter Chad Kuhl threw his first pitch to Carlos Gonzalez inside and thigh high. Gonzalez pointed at Kuhl and walked toward the mound. But catcher Francisco Cervelli and home plate umpire Chad Fairchild quickly stepped in front of Gonzalez.

Fairchild issued a warning to both teams, and Gonzalez promptly bounced the next pitch up the middle for a single. Since Marquez hit McCutchen with a fastball in the top of the inning, Gonzalez likely suspected Kuhl of retaliation.

While winning his past three starts, Marquez compiled a 3.48 ERA. He allowed 20 hits and four walks with 23 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings.

Kuhl (3-7) gave up nine hits and four runs in six innings with one walk and four strikeouts.

The Rockies tacked on a run in the seventh on Ian Desmond's two-out single and two more in the eighth on Alexi Amarista's one-out double and DJ LeMahieu's two-out single.

Jake McGee relieved Marquez and gave up a walk and a single to start the eighth but got Harrison to ground into a double play. After McGee walked McCutchen, Holland came on and retired Bell on a fly ball that center fielder Charlie Blackmon ran down in right-center.

Holland gave up a single and a walk to start the ninth. Cervelli flied to right, putting runners on the corners and Jordy Mercer walked to load the bases for pinch hitter Jose Osuna, who struck out. Starling Marte's infield single plated a run. But Harrison flied out on Holland's season-high 34th pitch.

Trying to score from first on Desmond's two-out double in the fifth inning, Nolan Arenado was cut down at home on the play.

While Arenado tried to touch the plate with his left hand, Cervelli tagged him an instant before he did after receiving Harrison's perfect relay throw.

Trevor Story followed Gonzalez's leadoff double in the fourth inning with a single that put the Rockies ahead 4-2.

Bell led off the fourth with his 18th homer, a line drive above the out-of-town scoreboard in right that trimmed the Rockies lead to 3-2.

A three-run third inning gave the Rockies a 3-1 lead. After Marquez singled with one out and Blackmon doubled, LeMahieu hit a sacrifice fly. Arenado's double and Mark Reynolds' single netted two more runs.

The Pirates scored a run in the first inning when Harrison drew a one-out walk and McCutchen followed with a double.

NOTES: Pirates RF Gregory Polanco (left hamstring) was placed on the 10-day disabled list, and LHP Steven Brault was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis and gave up two runs in the eighth. ... Rockies RHP Chad Bettis (testicular cancer) is scheduled to make his third rehab appearance Sunday and first with Triple-A Albuquerque and throw four innings or 60-to-65 pitches. If all goes well, Bettis will then throw five innings or about 80 pitches with Albuquerque on Friday. ... Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (right calf strain) likely will move to the bullpen when he is eligible to be reinstated Wednesday at St. Louis.