Pinch-hitter Jack Suwinski hit a single in the ninth inning, bringing Connor Joe home with two outs and giving the Pittsburgh Pirates a 1-0 win over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday.
Joe started the ninth with a single against Nick Mears (0-3), then advanced to third after walks to Jared Triolo and Oneil Cruz. Suwinski, ending his 0-for-12 slump, delivered a single to left field, helping the Pirates end a five-game losing streak.
“It was a good at-bat, a line drive through the middle, which was something we needed,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton commented. “It was a positive boost for the team.”
Jared Jones, Colin Holderman, and David Bednar (2-2) combined to allow just one hit, securing the win for the Pirates, who had only won four of their last 18 games. The Rockies had only one baserunner, Elias Diaz, who hit a double to start the fifth inning.
“I’m just going out there and sticking to my game,” Jones stated, as his ERA dropped to 2.63. “I’ve had moments in my career where I’ve pitched like this before.”
The 22-year-old Jones has been a standout performer in the early weeks of the season, using his fastball, which can reach speeds of over 100 miles per hour, along with his slider and change-up to keep hitters off balance.
The pitcher kept the Rockies guessing, not allowing a single hit for the first 12 batters. Then, Díaz hit a strong double to left field. After a strikeout and two ground balls, Jones was heading back to the dugout.
The Pirates have been cautious with Jones to keep him from getting hurt. Shelton surprised some people when he took Jones out after five innings and 59 pitches (with 50 strikes) against the New York Mets last month.
This time, Jones stayed in longer. He pitched in the seventh inning for the first time in his career and faced the middle of the Rockies’ lineup with ease. The crowd cheered loudly when he retired the Rockies without giving up a hit, and he left the field after throwing a season-high 96 pitches. Jones struck out 10 batters without walking anyone.
“I’ve had times when I couldn’t pitch for long, and that was to keep me safe,” Jones said. “When he let me stay in for the seventh, it got me excited.”
