Brenton Doyle’s throw highlights Rockies’ win over Pirates

PITTSBURGH — The ballgame was tied 3-3 in the sixth with the bases loaded and one out when the Pirates’ Jack Suwinksi lofted a flyball to center field. A routine sacrifice fly, right?

Not with rookie Brenton Doyle manning center for the Rockies.

Doyle caught the ball for out No. 2, loaded up perfectly and threw a 98.1 mph strike to catcher Austin Wynns to nail Bryan Reynolds at the plate for the double play.

Doyle’s laser beam was the must-see highlight from the Rockies’ impressive, improbable, 4-3 comeback victory Wednesday afternoon at PNC Park. The victory clinched the three-game set for the Rockies and gave them their third consecutive series victory.

Colorado scored the go-ahead run in the seventh on Jurickson Profar’s bases-loaded single off Robert Stephenson to score Wynns, who had drawn a leadoff walk.

But Colorado’s eighth win in its last 10 games was marred by another injury to another starting pitcher. Right-hander Antonio Senzatela, making just his second start of the season, was pulled from the game in the third inning. Senzatela had just given up a two-run home run to Andrew McCutcheon when manager Bud Black and assistant trainer Heath Townsend went out to the mound to check on Senzatela.

After a quick consultation, Senzatela was taken out of the game and replaced by right-hander Peter Lambert. There was no immediate word on Senzatela’s injury. Colorado trailed 3-0 when Senzatela was hurt.

Senzatela was replaced by right-hander Peter Lambert. Pitching in his first big-league game since Sept. 29, 2021, he was the stopper the Rockies needed in an emergency. Lambert blanked the Pirates for 2 1/3 innings, striking out four and walking just one. Lambert, who was pitching at Triple-A Albuquerque until his recent call-up, has been working his way back to form after undergoing Tommy John surgery in July 2020.

Relievers Daniel Bard, Brad Hand, Justin Lawrence and Pierce Johnson finished off the game for the Rockies, with Johnson notching his fifth save in five opportunities.

It wasn’t easy for Johnson. He got Connor Joe to line out to right for the first out before walking Rodolfo Castro. Johnson struck out Miguel Andujar for the second out, but pinch-hitter Ji Hwan made things dicey with a double to left-center. But Johnson fanned pinch-hitter Josh Palacios to ice the game.

Want more Rockies news? Sign up for the Rockies Insider to get all our MLB analysis.

Source: Read Full Article