The Rockies managed to conquer one of the best pitchers in baseball and secure a series win.
The Colorado Rockies took down Cy Young hopeful and two-time All-Star Paul Skenes and his Pittsburgh Pirates for their third home series win of the season, and their second come-from-behind victory in as many days. It wasn’t quite as dramatic as last night’s theatrics, but there was still a little bit of LoDo magic left to use.
The Rockies went down early due to two Pirates home runs, but surged ahead with a six run sixth inning. Jordan Beck, Warming Bernabel, and Mickey Moniak were key players for the Rockies’ offense, but even Austin Nola and Orlando Arcia—and their below .500 OPS—were able to join the fun.
Who on earth is Liover Peguero?
When Austin Gomber was taken deep on the third pitch of the game—a middle-middle fastball—by Pirates leadoff hitter Liover Peguero, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one thinking “oh no, not again” after last night’s first inning.
Thankfully, Gomber honestly locked things down for the next few frames. Through the fourth inning he kept the Pirates off the board and the game within reach, giving up just three hits and striking out four batters despite never really finding a good rhythm.
Unfortunately, a walk and a double in the fifth had Gomber in trouble and Liover Peguero delivered the finishing blow with a second home run. Gomber finished the inning but left the game with four runs—three earned—on his line.
Peguero would hit his third home run of the game against Dugan Darnell in the top of the ninth inning. He entered today’s game with just one home run so far this season and had never hit multiple home runs in a big league game before today.
Paul Skenes? Meet Mike Honcho.
Rockies left fielder Jordan Beck was one of the few Rockies batters seeing Paul Skenes well early in the game. He drew a walk in his first plate appearance and had hits in the next two. Beck’s second hit of the game was a three run home run following a single by Mickey Moniak and an Ezequiel Tovar walk. It was the first three run home run Paul Skenes had allowed all season.
Scorching Bernabel won’t be cooled off
23-year-old Warming Bernabel’s impressive start to his major league career continued with a 3-for-4 afternoon against the Pirates. Most impressively, he had two doubles against Paul Skenes. Bernabel’s eight extra-base hits in his first seven games with the Rockies broke the franchise record set by Trevor Story (seven) back in 2016. Bernabel has an OPS of 1.553 in his first 28 at-bats and he’s struck out just three times.
Bernabel also worked together with reliever Victor Vodnik for a fantastic defensive gem once the game resumed from rain delay.
A solid afternoon from the arm barn, but there’s a catch…
The Rockies bullpen was able to keep the Pirates off the board until the ninth inning when Peguero hit his third home run of the game against rookie Dugan Darnell. Unfortunately, Darnell had entered the game because regular closer Seth Halvorsen had to depart.
Halvorsen looked immediately to the dugout as soon as his fifth pitch left his hand and walked off the field with trainers. Hopefully this is just a scare, similar to Zach Agnos—who had his MRI return clean today.
“I mean, it don’t look good,” said manager Warren Schaeffer after the game. “It’s his [right] elbow. I’ll let you know tomorrow.”
Darnell entered the game with a 3-2 count against the leadoff batter and issued a walk, but was able to quickly induce a double play.
Prior to the ninth, Jaden Hill, Juan Mejia, and Victor Vodnik all worked scoreless innings. Mejia struck out three batters, and Vodnik assisted on an athletic play at first base.
Coming Up Next
The Rockies have a very rare opportunity: completing a sweep at home in 2025. Coming off an excellent last outing, righty Bradley Blalock will start for the Rockies against Pirates righty Mitch Keller. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM MDT.