Pirates 4 - 5 Rockies
Final
  for this game

Fowler's sac fly in 9th lifts Rockies over Pirates

Jul 17, 2012 - 6:17 AM

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Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Dexter Fowler's sacrifice fly scored Wilin Rosario with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth, lifting Colorado to a 5-4 win over Pittsburgh, only after the Rockies blew a three-run lead in the top of the inning.

The game was delayed 53 minutes by rain with one out in the top of the ninth, causing the Rockies to switch from closer Rafael Betancourt to Rex Brothers (5-2). When play resumed with runners at first and second Pedro Alvarez smacked the first pitch over the wall in left field to tie the score.

Rosario singled to left to start the bottom half against Jason Grilli (1-3). With one out, pinch-hitter Jason Giambi singled to center, moving the runners to the corners. Fowler then lifted a fly to center, and Andrew McCutchen's throw to the plate was late.

"We knew we had to get something done and knew we had to get it done quick," Fowler said. "We didn't know if the rain was coming back or how long we'd have to stay."

The Pirates lost for just the fourth time in their last 11 games and have dropped back-to-back contests for the first time since a three-game losing streak from June 24-26.

"Some day you're the hero, some days you're the goat," Grilli said. "I can't let this affect me. It's not going to affect me. It's kind of weird to have a night like this. It stings pretty good, but I'll bounce back."

Pinch-hitter Eric Young Jr. had a two-run double to highlight a four-run fifth inning for the Rockies, who snapped a two-game slide.

McCutchen, who had two hits, raised his major league-leading average to .372. Teammate Neil Walker extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a 3-for-4 night.

Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Karstens lasted seven innings, while Colorado's Jeff Francis was lifted after throwing 72 pitches in five frames.

Karstens singled in Alvarez in the top of the fifth, but the Rockies got RBI base hits from Josh Rutledge and Marco Scutaro and the two-run double to right from Young to take the 4-1 lead.

McCutchen and Walker singled in the ninth to lead to Alvarez's 18th homer of the year, an opposite field shot to left.

Game Notes

Prior to the game, the Pirates activated outfielder Alex Presley from the seven-day concussion disabled list. The Pirates also optioned first baseman Matt Hague to Indianapolis...Rockies infielder Chris Nelson was admitted to a local hospital and was to remain overnight Monday as he undergoes tests for an irregular heartbeat...The Pirates have gone deep in seven straight and in 18 of their last 20 games..McCutchen, who homered in each of his previous four games, is batting (.556) 30-for-54 over his last 13 contests.






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