Pittsburgh Pirates' Spencer Horwitz grounds out to drive in a run as Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman covers his position in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Spencer Horwitz homers twice, drives in 6 runs to lead Pirates to a 9-5 win over Rockies

DENVER (AP) — Spencer Horwitz homered twice and drove in a career-high six runs to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 9-5 win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, avoiding a series sweep.

Horwitz hit a two-run homer in the second inning, added a three-run shot in the sixth and knocked in his sixth run with a ground out in the eighth. The Pirates’ 27-year-old leadoff hitter has five homers and 31 RBIs in 61 games this season.

Nick Gonzales knocked in a run with an infield single in the first inning before Tommy Pham hit a two-run homer, his fifth, for Pittsburgh.

Pirates starter Mitch Keller (5-10) worked five innings and allowed seven hits and five earned runs with four strikeouts.

Mickey Moniak (two RBIs), Hunter Goodman and Jordan Beck (two RBIs) hit consecutive homers in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Rockies closed within 8-5.

Colorado starter Bradley Blalock (1-3) allowed seven earned runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings, with two strikeouts and four walks.

Key moment

The Rockies seemingly found some momentum in the third inning when Yanquiel Fernández doubled. He jumped off the base when he got up from the slide, but was called safe. The Pirates challenged the call, which was overturned.

Key stat

Entering Sunday, Colorado had scored 21 runs in the fourth inning or later in the series. The Rockies scored one run in the fourth and four in the sixth in the loss.

Up next

The Rockies will send RHP Tanner Gordon (2-3, 4.85 ERA) in their home series opener against Toronto on Monday. The Blue Jays will start LHP Eric Lauer (6-2, 2.68).

The Pirates open a home series against San Francisco on Monday. RHP Justin Verlander (1-8, 4.53 ERA) will start for the Giants. Pittsburgh has not named a starter.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Spencer Horwitz, right, is congratulated as he crosses home plate after hitting a three-run home run by Jared Triolo, left, and Jack Suwinski in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Dennis Santana works against the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Nick Anderson works against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman, front, fields the throw as Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jack Suwinski scores on a ground out hit by Spencer Horwitz in the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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