Pittsburgh Pirates Series Recap: Offense is riding Mile High

Game Two: Gerrit Cole (1-2. 2.70ERA) vs. Jorge De La Rosa (1-2, 9.87ERA)

Result: Pirates win 9-4

Winning Pitcher: Gerrit Cole (2-2, 2.78ERA

Losing Pitcher: Jorge de la Rosa (1-3, 10.18ERA)

• What went right:
  • His name is Andrew McCutchen. The former MVP had a slump busting performance and made a little Pirates’ history becoming only the fourth player in franchise history to hit three home runs in multiple games. When it was all said and done, he went 3-5 with three home runs, five RBI and three runs scored.
  • Jordy Mercer was excellent from the lead-off spot, going 2-4 with a walk and a run scored.
  • Gerrit Cole pitched pretty well, especially given it’s Colorado. He went six innings, allowed four runs (two earned) on eight hits and struck out three.
  • Starling Marte changed the momentum of the game by throwing out Gerardo Parra at home to keep the Pirates ahead by a run. The next inning, the Pirates pulled away and put the game out of reach for the Rockies.

• What went wrong:
  • Nolan Arenado was very good for the Rockies. He went 2-4 with a home run, two RBI and a run scored.
  • Cristhian Adames had a very good game in the two-hole. He went 2-3 with two walks.
  • Ben Paulsen went 2-4 with two runs scored batting behind Arenado.
  • Arquimedes Caminero was shaky again, despite the scoreless appearance. He walked two in his inning of work was thankfully was bailed out by a double play.

Andrew McCutchen has had a fairly mediocre start and because we live in the overreaction age, there have been whispers that he’s a bad starter, but this game hopefully shut some people up. Freaking out about one of the best players in the league is a bit silly, especially given he has four straight top five MVP finishes and one win. McCutchen will be fine.

Gerrit Cole wasn’t at his best, but there was a lot to like about his performance. All things considered he went six innings and gave up two earned runs. I think most people will take that from the ace any day of the week.

The Pirates started out a series they should win with two fairly decisive victories, they looked to lock up the series with Jon Niese getting the start in game three.

Game Three: Jon Niese vs. Jon Gray