O’Neal Cruz, 15, of the Pittsburgh Pirates stands at third base after hitting a two-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Ryan Feltner in the sixth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh on Sunday. Greeted by coach Mike Lovell (left). , May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Jean J. Pasker)
PITTSBURGH — O’Neal Crews hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning, emphasizing four runs, and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Colorado Rockies 5-3 on Sunday for a series victory.
Cruz sent a slider from Ryan Feltner (1-3) 429 feet to right-center field, his fifth of the season, and bounced off the roof of the bar beyond the stands to give Pittsburgh a 4-3 lead. He recorded multiple extra-base hits in 35 games this season and also hit his first double.
Before hitting a ball into the Allegheny River in the ninth inning of a 3-2 loss in Friday’s series opener, Cruz had hit a home run and two doubles in 17 games.
“I think one of the things we have to realize about O’Neal is that he does a lot of things that look easy.” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “So sometimes he gets the nickname ‘bad body language.’ I think it will definitely restore my confidence.”
After the home run, Rowdy Telles hit a double over right field and scored on a single from Jack Swinski. Feltner, who pitched 5 2/3 innings and allowed five runs on eight hits, started the inning by allowing a single to Connor Joe and a double to Bryan Reynolds on his first four pitches. Joe scored on a ground ball by Ke’Bryan Hayes.
The Pirates took the final two games of a three-game set, earning their first series victory since winning two of the three games against Baltimore on April 5-7. The Rockies have lost seven of eight games and have yet to win the series.
“I didn’t hit the jackpot several times during the match.” Colorado State coach Bud Black said. “That was a killer for our offense. You’ve got to get some guys excited somewhere.”
Luis Ortiz (2 wins, 1 loss) replaced Pittsburgh starter Bailey Falter with one out in the 6th inning and pitched perfectly for 2/3 of the first inning. David Bednar made his sixth save by allowing a double to Sean Bouchard before striking out Jake Cave in the ninth inning.
Jacob Stallings and Bouchard put Colorado ahead 3-0 on back-to-back home runs from Falter in the second inning. Stallings scored two runs with a 414-foot sinker into the center thicket. Bouchard sent a fastball 400 feet into the left field seats.
Falter allowed three runs on six hits.
“I want to get a few balls back.” Falter said. “They’re good hitters. They’re all here for a reason, just like us. … After the third inning, we settled down pretty well and felt like we did a pretty good job.”
With one out in the fourth inning, Cruz hit a double over the right field over Clemente’s wall, Telles grounded out to Feltner, who had allowed one hit through three innings, and Hayes scored the Pirates’ first run.
“Everything went well today.” Feltner said. “Overall I was happy with what I had. I just need to finish stronger.”
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Rockies: RHP Dakota Hudson (0-5, 5.93) will start Tuesday and return home for a third straight game against San Francisco.
Pirates: RHP Mitch Keller (2-3, 5.18) will take the mound on Monday, making his third straight start against the Angels.
