Hammel shuts down Pirates after leadoff home run
One night after being shut out on five hits, the Colorado Rockies didn’t come up with a big offensive game, but did produce more than enough runs for Jason Hammel.
After allowing a leadoff home run to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Andrew McCutcheon, Hammel allowed just five more hits and a pair of walks over seven innings to pick up his third win.
The seven innings were Hammel’s longest outing of the season. He was helped out by double plays in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings and a great running catch in right by Seth Smith in the third inning that saved a run.
Rockies hitters gave Hammel all the offense he needed in the second inning when Smith drove in the tying run with an infield single, and Chris Iannetta followed a three-run home run.
Carlos Gonzalez, who ended an 0-for-25 slump with a bunt base hit in the ninth inning on Friday, was 2-for-4 with a double and a single.
Hammel was backed by a scoreless eight from reliever Rafael Betancourt and Huston Street‘s 10th save.
Wow! +9 for April. A week and a half ago I said I’d be happy with +6. Great start. The good mews is they are “slumping” and still playing .500 ball.
I thought tonight was going to be the night when everybody would hit. After that 2nd inning, I just knew the Rox were going to put up 13-14 hits. Obviously that didn’t happen but still a good win. Hope Hammel can keep it up, cuz if he can the Rox will be just fine even with a slumping offense. Pitching Pitching Pitching.