The Pittsburgh Pirates avoided a sweep by the Colorado Rockies with a 14-6 victory Thursday at PNC Park. The Pirates hit three home runs in the seventh inning. Josh Bell was 3-for-4 with his 16th home run of the year. Bryan Reynolds hit his fourth home run – a pinch-hit three run shot, and Starling Marte hit a solo shot in the inning. Colin Moran also had three hits in the game. Gregory Polanco hit his fourth home run of the season in the first inning.
The Pirates had built an 8-0 lead before starting pitcher Jordan Lyles allowed six earned runs in the sixth inning. He had shutout the Rockies through five.
The Bucs earned back the a game on the Chicago Cubs, who fell to Philadelphia 9-7. The Pirates are 3-1/2 back in the National League Central Division.
The Pirates host the Los Angeles Dodgers to begin a three-game series tonight. First pitch is 7:05pm. WISR airtime is 6:40pm.