BASEBALL: Ryan O’Hearn helps Pirates slay Rockies

Ryan O'Hearn homered and finished with three hits and two RBIs to lead the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Thursday afternoon.

O'Hearn's two-run homer off Rockies starter Chase Dollander (3-3) in the bottom of the first inning capped a three-run frame and set the tone for Pittsburgh's victory as the Pirates took two of three from Colorado, which lost for the fourth time in five games.

Dollander gave up a double to Endy Rodriguez and walked Jared Triolo to open the bottom of the second inning before exiting the game after 28 pitches. Dollander was later diagnosed with right arm tightness.

Brennan Bernardino helped the Rockies escape the jam in the second, but the Pirates tagged Colorado relievers for three more runs in the third. O'Hearn and Konnor Griffin each singled off Bernardino, who was lifted for Victor Vodnik with one out.

After a walk to Marcell Ozuna, Rodriguez singled to drive in O'Hearn and Griffin to make it 5-0. Ozuna would score, two batters later, on a ground out by Oneil Cruz.

Rodriguez, who was called up on Tuesday after Joey Bart was placed on the injured list, had two hits and two RBIs.

Troy Johnston put the Rockies on the board in the fourth with a two-run double off the right field wall off Carmen Mlodzinski (3-3) after he walked Willi Castro and TJ Rumfield.

Mlodzinski entered in relief after Mason Montgomery opened the game and struck out the side in the first, and Evan Sisk pitched a scoreless second. Mlodzinski pitched five innings, allowing two runs on Johnston's hit. He allowed four hits, walked three and struck out two on 76 pitches.

Dennis Santana and Yohan Ramirez closed out the game with a scoreless inning each.

Rumfield walked twice and had a hit for the Rockies.

Tanner Gordon pitched four innings in relief and struck out five. He gave up one run on three hits and one walk.

Triolo also had two hits and an RBI and Griffin had two hits and stole his 10th base of the season.

-Field Level Media/Reuters