Neagle pitches Rockies past Pirates
DENVER (AP) – In took eight years for consecutive shutouts to be pitched at Coors Field. Denny Neagle limited Pittsburgh to three hits in eight innings, and the Colorado Rockies extended their winning streak to five by beating the Pirates 6-0 Wednesday night.
It was just the 18th shutout at Coors Field, the hitter haven that opened in 1995. Colorado defeated the Pirates 10-0 Tuesday.
Neagle (3-1) gave the Rockies their fifth straight solid outing by a starter and Jose Jimenez pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, improving Clint Hurdle’s record as the Rockies’ new manager to 5-0.
Neagle thrived in inclement weather: a steady, cold drizzle and temperatures in the mid-30s. Several players, coaches and umpires covered their heads to ward off the chill.
Todd Helton, Larry Walker and Todd Hollandsworth each had two RBIs for the Rockies. Walker hit a solo homer in the sixth and Hollandsworth had a two-run drive in the eight off Scott Sauerbeck.
The Rockies scored twice in the first off Josh Fogg (3-1). Juan Pierre led off with a single, and Juan Uribe followed with a double, extending his hitting streak to 13 games. Pierre scored on Walker’s groundout, and Uribe came home on Helton’s sacrifice fly.
Colorado made it 3-0 in the third. Pierre singled and, with two outs, Helton doubled over the head of left fielder Armando Rios in left-center.
Walker led off the sixth with his sixth homer.
Despite three singles in the second, the Rockies failed to score as Pirates catcher Jason Kendall threw out two runners. Todd Hollandsworth singled to open the inning but was caught stealing. Gary Bennett and Neagle also had singles, but Neagle, straying too far off first, was picked off by Kendall.
NOTES: The Pirates purchased the contract of RHP Josias Manzanillo from Triple-A Nashville and designated INF Mendy Lopez for assignment. Manzanillo became the 13th pitcher on the roster. … Rockies C Gary Bennett threw out his fourth consecutive would-be basestealer, Jason Kendall in the second. It tied a Colorado record set by Henry Blanco twice in the 1999 season. … The Rockies promoted Mike Gallego, their roving minor league infield coordinator, to the major league coaching staff. Gallego will assume varied duties as he replaces Rich Donnelly, who resigned on Monday. Bench coach Toby Harrah becomes the permanent 3B coach.