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In a thrilling game at Coors Field, the Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates played a remarkable match on Friday.
Despite falling behind 9-0 in the first inning, the Rockies managed to stage a remarkable comeback to defeat the Pirates 17-16.
The Pirates dominated the Rockies’ starting pitcher, Antonio Senzatela, scoring eight runs in the first inning with only two outs. Oneil Cruz of the Pirates hit a grand slam, making the score 5-0.
Colorado Rockies’ Mickey Moniak, back left, and Orlando Arcia, back right, celebrate with Brenton Doyle (9) after Doyle hit a two-run walk-off home run off Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Dennis Santana in the ninth inning of a baseball game on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Denver, Colorado. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Carson Palmquist replaced Senzatela as the Rockies’ pitcher and allowed a three-run home run to Andrew McCutchen on his first pitch, extending the Pirates’ lead to 9-0 after the first inning.
Despite the early deficit, the Rockies fought back, scoring runs in the first and third innings to narrow the gap to 9-4. The Pirates added three more runs in the fourth inning to make it 12-4.
Undeterred, the Rockies continued to chip away, scoring two runs in the fourth inning to make it 12-6. Both teams exchanged runs in subsequent innings, with the Pirates leading 16-10 going into the bottom of the eighth inning.
Colorado Rockies’ Brenton Doyle watches his two-run walk-off home run off Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Dennis Santana in the ninth inning on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Denver, Colorado. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Rockies mounted a remarkable comeback in the ninth inning, starting with a solo home run by Hunter Goodman off Pirates’ relief pitcher Dennis Santana to make it 16-13. This was followed by key hits from Jordan Beck, Warming Bernabel, and Thairo Estrada, bringing the score to 16-15.
With the tying run on base, Brenton Doyle sealed the victory with a two-run home run to give the Rockies a 17-16 win.
Reflecting on the game, Doyle said, “Honestly, pretty speechless… Just so proud of everyone in this clubhouse, never giving up. Man, what a win.”
The Rockies’ comeback victory marked a rare feat in baseball history, with Elias Sports Bureau and MLB.com noting that it was the first time since 2006 that a team won after giving up nine runs in the first inning.
“Getting down nine in the first, it’s tough to come back from, but we kept the energy high,” Doyle added. “We kept the fight in us. Oh my God, what a game.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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