Rockies Shut Out as Pirates Dominate at PNC Park
Pittsburgh may forever be remembered for the “Immaculate Reception,” but there was no miracle finish for Colorado on Friday night. Instead, the Pirates rolled to a 9–0 victory at PNC Park, handing the Rockies their 12th shutout loss of the season.
Senzatela Struggles Again
Starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela was hit hard once more by Pittsburgh’s lineup, though this time he managed to stretch his outing to four innings. The right-hander allowed five runs on eight hits, walking three and striking out four. Veteran slugger Andrew McCutchen did the bulk of the damage, delivering a pair of two-run doubles in the opening two innings.
Senzatela’s performance was a step back from his return start off the injured list last week, when he tossed five scoreless frames against Arizona. After Friday’s outing, his ERA climbed to 7.15, raising questions about his role moving forward—especially as he remains under contract for $12 million in 2026.
A Lineup Gone Silent
If the Rockies had any hope of another miracle comeback—like their wild 17–16 win on Aug. 1 when they erased a nine-run deficit against these same Pirates—it never materialized. Colorado’s bats mustered only three hits against a pair of young Pittsburgh arms.
Right-hander Braxton Ashcraft shut down the Rockies over five innings, yielding just one hit and striking out six. He handed the ball to rookie Bubba Chandler, who sparkled in his big-league debut, tossing four scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s offense pounded away at Colorado pitching. Reliever Anthony Molina was tagged for three more runs in the sixth, including a leadoff homer by Spencer Horwitz and a two-run shot from Tommy Pham.
A Franchise in Transition
The loss came on the same day Colorado released veteran left-hander Austin Gomber, part of the infamous Nolan Arenado trade four years ago. Gomber struggled to a 6.49 ERA this season and was headed for free agency. His departure underscores a period of transition for the Rockies, who continue to search for stability both in the rotation and across the roster.
With the defeat, Colorado fell deeper into the NL cellar, their record reflecting a season defined by inconsistency. The Pirates, meanwhile, showcased the kind of youthful energy and depth the Rockies are still striving to build.
The two clubs meet again Saturday afternoon, with Kyle Freeland set to take the mound for Colorado against Pittsburgh’s Mike Burrows.
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