Bell homers in loss to Rockies

Associated Press

Pittsburgh

Josh Bell reached the Allegheny River on the fly for the second time in two weeks, the only notable blemish for the Colorado Rockies in a 9-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.

After Daniel Murphy hit a three-run homer to put Colorado ahead 3-0 in the first inning, Bell sent a changeup from Jon Gray 454 feet over the Clemente Wall in right field with an exit velocity of 116 mph, making it 3-1 in the second. The home run, his 15th in 46 games after hitting 12 last season, was the fifth to splash into the river on the fly since PNC Park opened in 2001.

The only sustained pressure against Gray (4-4) ended after Kevin Newman cut it to 3-2 with a double later in the second. The Rockies right-hander went seven innings for the second time in 10 starts this year, giving up three runs and seven hits with seven strikeouts.

Montana DuRapau (0-1) was the Pirates’ opener for the second time in five days, allowed Murphy’s homer and lasted two outs. Nick Kingham entered and gave up six runs on nine hits in four innings.

Tony Wolters broke the game open with Colorado’s second three-run homer with two outs in the third, extending the lead to 6-2.

Brendan Rodgers doubled, and Charlie Blackmon and Raimel Tapia each singled to help tack on another three runs in the fifth.

Pittsburgh got a third run when Bryan Reynolds grounded into a fielder’s choice to score Gregory Polanco in the sixth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: RHP Keone Kela threw 21 pitches during a simulated game, manager Clint Hurdle said. Kela hasn’t pitched since May 4 because of shoulder inflammation.

UP NEXT

Rockies: RHP Antonio Senzatela (3-3, 4.89 ERA) will try to pitch Colorado to a series sweep today. He’s lasted more than five innings once in his past four starts.

Pirates: RHP Jordan Lyles (4-1, 1.97) has permitted one run or fewer in six of his first eight starts this season, including each of his past three.