Pittsburgh @ Colorado preview

Pittsburgh at Colorado

Last Meeting ( Aug 10, 2013 ) Pittsburgh 4, Colorado 6

The Colorado Rockies attempt to complete their first sweep in nearly four months when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates in the finale of their three-game set Sunday. Colorado cruised to a 10-1 victory in the series opener before rallying for a 6-4 triumph on Saturday. Dexter Fowler delivered a two-run single during a five-run sixth inning as the Rockies erased a 3-1 deficit to post just their third win in 12 contests.

The win put Colorado in position for its first sweep since mid-April, when it captured three games at San Diego before winning three at home against the New York Mets. Pittsburgh is in danger of being swept for the first time since dropping three straight at Atlanta from June 3-5. Despite losing the first two contests of the series, the first-place Pirates have maintained their four-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh, Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Jeff Locke (9-3, 2.47 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Chad Bettis (0-1, 6.30)

Locke's winless streak reached three starts as he settled for a no-decision against Miami on Tuesday after allowing three runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. Prior to his last two outings, the 25-year-old yielded two earned runs or fewer in eight straight starts and 11 of 12. Locke, who will be facing Colorado for the first time in his career, is 5-2 with a 1.83 ERA in 11 road outings.

Bettis will be making his third career start and first at home. The 24-year-old surrendered five runs in five innings at Atlanta in his major-league debut on Aug. 1 and lasted only five frames again on Tuesday, when he yielded two runs against the Mets in New York. Bettis went 3-4 with a 3.71 ERA in 12 outings with Double-A Tulsa.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates LF Starling Marte had his streak of consecutive at-bats with a hit end at six Saturday as he led off the contest with a flyout.

2. Colorado RHP Rafael Betancourt (appendix) is slated to pitch a simulated game Monday.

3. Pittsburgh 3B Pedro Alvarez, who owns a share of the NL lead in home runs, has gone 11 games without a blast.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Rockies 3