Rockies at Pirates
The Colorado Rockies capitalized on a huge mistake to snap a three-game losing streak and now will look to make it two straight wins over the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday in the rubber match of a three-game series. Pirates right-hander Juan Nicasio takes the mound Sunday against the team with which he played his first four seasons.
A two-out throwing error in the ninth by Pittsburgh catcher Francisco Cervelli opened the door for a four-run rally for Colorado in Saturday's 5-1 victory. Cristhian Adames followed Tony Wolters' tiebreaking infield hit with the first homer of his career, a two-run shot that sent the Pirates to their second loss in seven games. Pittsburgh's John Jaso has three straight multiple-hit games and is 10-for-19 over his last five contests. Nicasio has a tough act to follow as the Pirates have received seven innings from their starter in four straight games.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), ROOT (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Chad Bettis (4-2, 4.18 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Juan Nicasio (4-3, 4.46)
Bettis is coming off his best start in more than a month, when he held St. Louis to one run and five hits over 6 2/3 innings. The 27-year-old had labored during his previous four turns, going 1-2 while giving up a total of 16 runs and 32 hits over 25 innings. Bettis was charged with four runs on six hits over 6 2/3 frames against the Pirates on April 25 in Colorado to drop to 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in five appearances (three starts) against them.
Nicasio had a solid first month with the Pirates, capped by seven scoreless innings of three-hit ball on April 29, but he has regressed since that point. The 29-year-old Dominican managed to come away with a victory in his last start versus Atlanta despite surrendering five runs (three earned) on eight hits over five innings. He is 4-1 with a 3.49 ERA in five turns at home and has allowed two runs over 6 2/3 innings against Colorado in his career.
WALK-OFFS
1. Pirates SS Jordy Mercer is riding a seven-game hitting streak.
2. Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque and start Tuesday in Boston.
3. Pirates 3B Jung Ho Kang is listed as day-to-day after leaving Saturday's game with discomfort in his left hand.