Pirates out-executed in series-losing defeat to Rockies

A week ago, as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ eventual seven-game losing streak was getting underway, at least it could be said that the club was beating lesser opponents.

That argument lost some steam Wednesday, however, with the Pirates falling 4-3 to the Rockies at PNC Park to drop two of three games in the series.

It was a far cry from when the Pirates (21-17) beat up on the Rockies (16-22) at Coors Field from April 17-19, having scored a total of 33 runs while allowing just nine in a three-game sweep.

But the Pirates were outscored 13-6 in this series. Perhaps equally as important, they were out-executed, especially in the baserunning department.

Outfielder Connor Joe got on base twice Wednesday on a pair of walks, only to be thrown out attempting to steal second in both situations.

With 48 stolen bases on the year, the Pirates continue to lead baseball. But their 15 times caught stealing also are an MLB high.

“When you run the bases like we did early on, you put the league on notice,” Joe said. “It’s their job to come up with a gameplan to prevent that. We want to stick to that identity. It’s what’s made us successful. Their job in that clubhouse, whoever it might be, is to prevent us from doing that.”

Joe was caught stealing in the second inning when Tucupita Marcano missed an apparent call to attempt a hit and run.

“We had a miscommunication there, I would say, yeah,” manager Derek Shelton said.

Added Marcano, through translator Stephen Morales: “Part of the game. It happens.”

Later in the at-bat, though, Marcano hit his first home run of the year to center field off Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela to make it 1-0.

The Pirates took a 3-0 lead in the third when Andrew McCutchen, who was 3 for 3 with a walk, hit his seventh home run of the season, a two-run shot to left field.

Rich Hill started for the Pirates but lasted only 3 2/3 innings — his shortest outing of the season.

Hill’s control was lacking throughout the afternoon, and he made a crippling error on a two-out dribbler that he failed to field cleanly. That extended the top of the fourth and led to the Rockies scoring two of their three runs in the inning to tie the score.

“Watching that play, it clearly cost us the game,” Hill said. “That’s a play that needs to be made. Take full responsibility for that. It’s frustrating, but you have to move on.”

Hill, who was replaced by Dauri Moreta with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Of his 75 pitches, 48 were strikes (64%).

“I just thought the execution — he didn’t have the execution today that he had had previously,” Shelton said. “We had gotten in a situation where the curveball was not landing, the fastball wasn’t in the spots he wanted, so at that point, I wanted to keep the game right there. Moreta came in and did a good job.”

The Rockies scored the decisive run in the seventh when they loaded the bases with no outs. Jurickson Profar singled off Robert Stephenson (0-1) to drive in Austin Wynns.

Profar hit two homers against the Pirates on Tuesday.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Pirates faced an identical opportunity — bases loaded with no outs — but were unable to convert.

Joe struck out looking, followed by pinch-hitter Rodolfo Castro lining out to center field.

With Bryan Reynolds attempting to tag from third, Rockies center fielder Brenton Doyle fired a laser to catcher Wynns to retire Reynolds and end the threat.

Shelton challenged the call, saying Wynns blocked home plate, but to no avail.

“Bang-bang play that just didn’t go our way,” Shelton said.

The Pirates, who despite losing nine of their last 10 games maintain a half-game lead over Milwaukee for first place in the NL Central, attempted a ninth-inning rally. Castro walked and pinch hitter Ji Hwan Bae doubled off Colorado reliever Pierce Johnson.

But with two outs and men on second and third, recent call-up Josh Palacios went down swinging for the Pirates’ 13th and final strikeout of the day.