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May 22, 2016 - 2:44 AM The Colorado Rockies can finally take a series from the Pittsburgh Pirates, and they can do it against a pitcher very familiar to them.

The Pirates send out former Rockie Juan Nicasio for Sunday's finale, looking to deny the visitors their first series victory at Pittsburgh in more than five years.

Colorado (21-21) won 5-1 on Saturday to snap its eight-game losing streak against Pittsburgh (23-19). The Rockies haven't won a series against the Pirates since taking two of three July 25-27, 2014, and they can capture their first series victory at PNC Park since April 2011.

Two of Pittsburgh's three errors Saturday came in Colorado's four-run ninth inning, with closer Mark Melancon suffering his first loss since Sept. 28. He allowed three runs - none of them earned.

''Obviously, the whole inning was a little screwy,'' Melancon said. ''But it's why this game's so beautiful. You have to play until the end of every game. You have to get the last out and there's no clock, so you can't run it out. You have to play every out.''

Nicasio (4-3, 4.46 ERA) has seen his ERA increase by more than a run over his last three starts as he's posted a 6.46 mark in that span. He gave up five runs - three earned - in five innings of Tuesday's 12-9 win over Atlanta but earned the win.

In terms of control, his last two starts were a step in the right direction with the right-hander totaling two walks after issuing 15 in his previous five starts.

Nicasio has posted a 2.70 ERA in six games against his former team - all but one of them coming in relief. Daniel Descalso (4 for 6 with a triple), Nick Hundley (4 for 13 with a home run) and Gerardo Parra (4 for 14 with four doubles) have had success against him.

Colorado will send Chad Bettis to the mound for the second time against Pittsburgh. Bettis (4-2, 4.18) opened a bit of a rough stretch with his last start opposite the Pirates, allowing four runs in 6 2/3 innings of a 6-1 loss April 25.

The right-hander recorded a 5.76 ERA in the four-start span that began with that one, but bounced back by limiting St. Louis to one run in 6 2/3 innings of Tuesday's 3-1 win.

He induced 11 ground-ball outs in getting the Rockies' nine-game road trip off to a good start, though they're 2-3 in the stretch.

"Something that I try make sure I do every time I go out is keep the ball down and make them roll over to our infielders," Bettis told MLB's official website.

Bettis has a 3.86 ERA in three career starts against Pittsburgh, lasting at least six innings each time - something he's done in his last eight starts overall. Starling Marte (4 for 6), Andrew McCutchen (3 for 6) and Matt Joyce (2 for 5 with a home run) have had success in the matchup.