Rockies’ winning streak ends with 8-3 loss to Pirates

Momentum took a nose dive Sunday afternoon at Coors Field.

Looking to head into the all-star break with their longest winning streak since 2019, the Rockies instead lost 8-3 to the Pirates, who banged out 16 hits.

The Rockies’ five-game winning streak came to an end as they finished the first half at 43-50.

On a 96-degree day, Colorado’s offense took a siesta against a cadre of relievers in a game in which Pittsburgh employed a “bullpen game.” The Rockies managed eight hits but were 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left eight on base.

The deciding inning was the sixth. Brendan Rodgers hit a one-out double and Ryan McMahan scorched a line drive down the first-base line, only to see Michael Chavis flag it down for the second out. After Randal Grichuk walked, Connor Joe grounded out to shortstop to end the would-be rally. Joe is hitting just .203 with runners in scoring position.

Colorado tied the game, 3-3, in the fifth on a leadoff triple by catcher Elias Diaz and a sacrifice fly by Charlie Blackmon. It was Diaz’s third triple of his career.

The Pirates quickly broke the stalemate, scoring twice in the sixth off rookie right-hander Jake Bird. Jason Delay rocketed a one-out double off of Bird, Kevin Newman followed with another double and Michael Davis added an RBI single.

Pittsburgh added three runs in the ninth off inconsistent right-hander Carlos Estevez, tagging him for four singles and drawing a walk.

Manager Bud Black decided to start left-hander Austin Gomber over righty Antonio Senzatela, though Senazela is healthy again. Gomber wasn’t particularly sharp — giving up three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts over five innings.

Gomber’s biggest mistakes came in the Pirates’ two-run third inning. He issued a one-out walk to Daniel Vogelbach and a two-out walk to Ben Gamel. The free passes came back to haunt Gomber when Jake Marisnick ripped a two-run double.

The Rockies return to action on Friday when they open a four-game series at Milwaukee against the Brewers, leaders of the National League Central.