Pittsburgh @ Colorado preview
Coors Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 9, 2013 ) Pittsburgh 1, Colorado 10
The National League Central-leading Pittsburgh Pirates look to bounce back from an embarrassing effort as they visit the Colorado Rockies for the middle contest of their three-game series on Saturday. Wilin Rosario fell a triple shy of the cycle and collected four RBIs as Colorado scored all of its runs over the first three innings in a 10-1 triumph in the series opener. Francisco Liriano gave up all 10 runs over 2 1/3 frames as he lost for only the second time in nine decisions.
The victory halted Colorado's five-game skid as well as Pittsburgh's five-game winning streak. The Pirates, who are tied with the Boston Red Sox for the second-most victories in the major leagues, remained four games ahead of St. Louis in the NL Central as the Cardinals fell to the Chicago Cubs. The Rockies, who returned home after a 1-9 road trip, matched their offensive output from their previous six games combined.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh, Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH A.J. Burnett (5-7, 2.73 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Juan Nicasio (6-6, 5.05)
Burnett is coming off his first win in six outings, a complete-game triumph over Colorado on Sunday in which he allowed one run and eight hits while recording his second straight nine-strikeout performance. The 36-year-old has yielded fewer than three earned runs in each of his last seven starts. Burnett is 3-3 with a 2.58 ERA in six career outings against the Rockies.
Nicasio has lost each of his last two starts, surrendering a total of 12 runs and 16 hits over 8 1/3 innings. The 26-year-old Dominican went 2-0 while allowing a total of one run over 19 frames in his previous three outings. Nicasio, who is 3-1 in nine home starts this season, took the loss at Pittsburgh on Sunday.
WALK-OFFS
1. INF Josh Harrison retired the only batter he faced Friday as he became the first position player to pitch for the Pirates since INF Abraham Nunez on May 30, 2004 against the Cubs.
2. Colorado OF Carlos Gonzalez (finger) and RHP Tyler Chatwood (elbow) are not expected to need surgery after undergoing MRI exams.
3. Pittsburgh LHP Wandy Rodriguez (forearm) is scheduled to throw 25 pitches in a bullpen session on Saturday.
PREDICTION: Pirates 7, Rockies 2