It took extra innings, but the Pittsburgh Pirates prevailed in the 14th inning when Pirates LF Jose Tabata hit a walkoff double in the bottom of the 14th inning off Rockies LHP Franklin Morales.
With Todd Helton sidelined by a stiff lower back, Colorado Rockies manager Jim Tracy placed Jason Giambi in the starting lineup as the first baseman, batting fifth. Dexter Fowler led the game off with a walk and Jonathan Herrera, starting at second base, beat out an infield grounder to have men on first and second. Giambi came to the plate following a Carlos Gonzalez strikeout and a Troy Tulowitzki fly out to center field. On the second pitch he saw, Giambi smacked a home run over the right field wall for a three-run shot and a 3-0 Rockies lead. It would be all the offense the Rockies could muster for the next 14 innings.
Over those innings, the Pirates crept closer and closer to tying the game. Matt Diaz started it with an RBI ground out in the fourth and Jose Tabata would follow with a solo homer in the fifth inning. Rockies starter Jorge De La Rosa left after five innings, allowing just those two runs on two hits and three walks. Matt Belisle was responsible for the game-tying run when two walk and a wild pitch shifted Lyle Overbay to third base. Jason Jaramillo singled Overbay in to even the score at three all.
Pirates starter Ross Ohlendorf left the game in the third inning with two outs left when he felt discomfort in his shoulder. Jeff Karstens provided effective relief with 3 1/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts and three walks.
The Rockies had their best chance to score in the 10th inning when Jonathan Herrera kicked things off with a leadoff double. He moved to third on a wild pitch, but stayed there for the rest of the inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Ty Wigginton hit a ball down the third base line but Pedro Alvarez made the diving grab and threw on one knee to first base for the final out of the inning. Huston Street pitched three shutout innings, and even hit a deep fly into the right field gap that was snagged by Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen.
With the bullpen empty, Franklin Morales pitched the 14th inning. After two quick outs, he walked Neil Walker before allowing the game winning drive to Tabata.
The teams play game three of their four-game series on Saturday at 5:05 p.m. MT. Greg Reynolds makes his return to the majors as Ubaldo Jimenez's replacement, while the Pirates put Charlie Morton on the mound.