Pirates Blank Rockies 9-0 Behind Ashcraft’s Gem and Prospect Debut

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Braxton Ashcraft and rookie Bubba Chandler teamed up for a three-hit shutout. The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Colorado Rockies 9-0 on Saturday at PNC Park.

Ashcraft (4-2) was in control for five innings. He struck out six batters and allowed only one hit and one walk. Chandler, 22, is baseball’s top pitching prospect. In his major league debut, he pitched four scoreless innings to earn the save. He struck out three batters and hit triple digits on the radar gun. This made him the fourth pitcher ever to earn a four-inning save in his big-league debut.

The Pirates got off to a fast start, putting up two runs in the first inning. Andrew McCutchen doubled, driving in Tommy Pham and Nick Gonzales. Pittsburgh added three runs in the second inning. Spencer Horwitz hit a double for two RBIs, and McCutchen also had a two-run double. Horwitz hit a homer in the sixth. Then, Pham launched a 435-foot shot to left-center, making it 8-0 for Pittsburgh. Alexander Canario capped the scoring with a solo shot in the eighth.

McCutchen had two doubles and four RBIs. Horwitz, Pham, and Canario each hit a home run. Colorado starter Antonio Senzatela (4-15) bore the loss, giving up five runs and six hits in two innings.

The Pirates won three of four games. They will pitch Mike Burrows (1-4, 4.46 ERA) on Sunday. He faces Colorado’s Kyle Freeland (13-12, 5.16 ERA).