Pirates beat Rockies 2-1

Starling Marte #6, Andrew McCutchen #22 and Jordy Mercer #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates can't make a catch on a ball hit by Charlie Blackmon #19 of the Colorado Rockies (not pictured) during the third inning on May 20, 2016 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

(May 20, 2016 - Source: Joe Sargent/Getty Images North America)

The Pittsburgh Pirates (23-18) beat the Colorado Rockies (20-21) 2-1 in the opener of their three-game series.

The Pirates took an early lead in the first inning. 1B John Jaso hit a leadoff single and advanced to third base on a double from CF Andrew McCutchen. RF Gregory Polanco followed with a ground out but John Jaso managed to come home for Pittsburgh’s first run of the game.

A one-out home run by 3B Nolan Arenado tied the game in the top of the sixth inning. It was Arenado’s MLB-leading 14th long ball of the season.

Pittsburgh got the lead back in the bottom of the inning. LF Starling Marte hit a one-out single and advanced to second base on a throwing error by SP Eddie Butler with C Francisco Cervelli at the plate.

Francisco Cervelli eventually struck out for Eddie Butler’s only K of the game. 3B David Freese followed with a single and drove in Starling Marte for the 2-1 lead.

Starling Marte showed his defensive prowess in the seventh inning when a perfectly timed throw from left field to home plate prevented the tying run and ended the frame.

CL Mark Melancon earned his 14th save of the season with a two-hit inning. He is tied for second in the MLB, trailing Philadelphia’s CL Jeanmar Gomez by two saves.

Eddie Butler (2-2) pitched 6 innings, allowing 7 hits and 1 earned run. He has a 3.96 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP on the season.

SP Gerrit Cole (5-3) worked 7 innings, giving up 10 hits, 1 walk and 1 earned run. He did not record a single strikeout. After eight starts he has a 2.79 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP.