Remembering Pirates' Wacky Series vs. Rockies

Those nine runs the Pirates scored in the first inning was the most they've scored since they drove in 10 runs in the top of the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 9, 2017.

Colorado responded with four runs in bottom of the first inning of off Pirates left-handed starting pitcher Andrew Heaney, but then the Pirates added three runs in the top of the fourth inning to still have a sizable lead, 12-4.

Pirates rookie right-handed pitcher Thomas Harrington came in for Heaney after 3.1 innings. He only got two outs and gave up six runs before right-handed relief pitcher Kyle Nicolas took care of things in the sixth and seventh innings.

The Pirates still added more runs in spite of this, leading 15-6 in the top of the fifth inning and then 16-10 in the top of the sixth inning.

Colorado still kept pushing, cutting the deficit to four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning on a two-run home run from pinch-hitter Yanquiel Fernández off of Pittsburgh right-handed relief pitcher Yohan Ramírez.

The Pirates looked to finish off the game with a solid outing from right-handed relief pitcher Dennis Santana, who had a 1.36 ERA coming into this contest.

Santana gave up a solo home run to Rockiescatcher Hunter Goodman, then a triple to first baseman Warming Bernabel, scoring left fielder Jordan Beck, who walked prior, making it 16-14.

He then allowed a single to second baseman Thairo Estrada, scoring Bernabel and making it a one-run deficit at 16-15.

Santana then gave up a two-run home run to center fielder Brenton Doyle, as the Rockies made an unbelievable comeback and won 17-16.

Pittsburgh made it their first loss scoring at least 16 runs since a 22-16 loss on June 30, 1893 to the Brooklyn Grooms, later known as the Brooklyn Dodgers.

The Pirates also made the Rockies the first team to win a game after giving up nine runs in the first inning, since the Cleveland Indians did so in 2006.

Second Game Keeps the Fun Going in Denver

While most people expected both teams to struggle offensively after the wild first encounter, the runs kept coming in the second contest.

Unlikely Pirates hero in first baseman Liover Peguero had his first multi-home run game of his career, with a solo home run in the top of the first inning and then a three-run shot in the top of the fifth inning, putting the road team up 4-0.

Star pitcher Paul Skenes took the mound for the Pirates and delivered five scoreless innings, looking like they would end up tying the series.

Skenes the struggled the following inning, giving up a three-run home run to Beck and then a double to Bernabel, before manager Don Kelly brought in rookie right-handed pitcher Braxton Ashcraft.

Ashcraft gave up two hits and then a ground out, which allowed the Rockies to score three more runs for six-run sixth inning, going up 6-4.

The Pirates gave up two more runs and would end up losing 8-5 to the Rockies, dropping a series to a team that was now just 30-80.

Peguero ended his day with a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning for his third home run of the day. He was the first Pirates player to achieve that feat since Michael Pérez did so vs. the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park.

Pirates Avoid Sweep, but Barely

The Pirates eventually got a win in the series finale, 9-5, as they avoided a sweep, but the Rockies still kept it close.

Pirates right-handed starting pitcher allowed just one run over his first five innings, but then gave up back-to-back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning, cutting the deficit to 8-5.

Keller gave up a leadoff walk to Rockies designated hitter Tyler Freeman and then gave up a two-run home run to center fielder Mickey Moniak on a slider down and inside. His second home run came off a sweeper high to catcher Hunter Goodman and then the third home run came off a sweeper over the plate to Beck.

Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz drove in six RBI, with two home runs, and left fielder Tommy Pham hit a two-run home run as well in the victory.

Return Series a Pirates' Success

The Pirates hosted the Rockies from Aug. 22-24 at PNC Park and came out with a solid sweep, with an 18-1 run advantage.

Star pitching prospect Bubba Chandler made his MLB debut in the 9-0 win on Aug. 22, throwing a four-inning scoreless save.

Chandler became the first pitcher in MLB history to throw a four-inning scoreless save in their debut and was the first Pirates rookie to throw a four-inning scoreless save in their debut.

Skenes also had one of his best starts of the season in the 4-0 win in the series finale on Aug. 24. He threw seven scorleess innings, posted seven strikeouts and allowed just three hits.