The Rockies jumped out to a 4-0 lead on James McDonald in the first, as McDonald walked two of the first four batters, Seth Smith hit an RBI single, and Jose Lopez hit a three-run homer. But the Pirates have come storming back, scoring a run in the second on Ronny Cedeno’s sacrifice fly and three more in the third with an HBP, a single, an RBI single by Andrew McCutchen, and a two-run double by Lyle Overbay. Pedro Alvarez then walked, but Ryan Doumit’s double play and Garrett Jones’ groundout ended the inning.
McDonald has kicked off the fourth with two groundouts, which is good – he has already thrown 60 pitches, and his command isn’t sharp, so it’s going to be tough for him to work deep into this one. Fortunately, the Pirates have a day off tomorrow and won’t have to worry too much about saving their relievers.