Endy Rodriguez drives in a pair of runs in his return to the majors, Pirates top Rockies 7-2

TL;DR

Endy Rodriguez returned to the majors with two hits and two RBIs, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies. The Pirates secured the win with strong early offense and solid pitching.

Key points

Endy Rodriguez returned to the majors with two hits and two RBIs
Pittsburgh Pirates defeated Colorado Rockies 7-2
Ryan O'Hearn hit a two-run homer in the first inning
Chase Dollander left the game due to right arm tightness
Pirates began a six-game homestand with this victory

Mentioned in this story

Don Kelly

Pittsburgh PiratesColorado RockiesEndy RodriguezRyan O'Hearn

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Endy Rodriguez had two hits and drove in a pair of runs in his return to the majors and the Pittsburgh Pirates breezed past the Colorado Rockies 7-2 on Thursday. Rodriguez, a catcher once considered among the top prospects in Pittsburgh's farm system before missing all of 2024 and most of 2025 due to a pair of elbow injuries, doubled off Chase Dollander (3-3) in the second and added a two-run single in the third in his first big league appearance since June 6, 2025. Ryan O'Hearn had three hits for Pittsburgh, including a two-run homer in the first as the Pirates raced to an early lead and cruised. Rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin and Jared Triolo added two hits each as Pittsburgh began a six-game homestand by taking two of three from the Rockies. Carmen Mlodzinski (3-3) allowed two runs in five innings after coming on after left-handed relievers Mason Montgomery and Evan Sisk. Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly opted to use Montgomery and Sisk early to offset the lefty-heavy portion of Colorado's lineup. The right-handed Mlodzinski has struggled at times this year against lefties, but by the time he came on in the third, he'd been staked to a comfortable 6-0 lead. Dollander, a first-round pick by the Rockies in 2023 who has been solid early in the season, struggled in the first and was removed just two batters into the second with what the club described as right arm tightness. hit a two-run double for Colorado, but the Rockies lost for the sixth time in their last seven games at PNC Park after the Pirates took quick command. Pittsburgh's started with a double to left that Rockies left fielder appeared to lose in the lights. The ball fell for a hit, Cruz jogged to second, then scored on an RBI single by . O'Hearn followed with his eighth homer of the season, and the rout was on.

Q&A

What did Endy Rodriguez achieve in his return to the majors?

Endy Rodriguez had two hits and drove in two runs in his first big league game since June 2025.

How did the Pittsburgh Pirates perform against the Colorado Rockies?

The Pittsburgh Pirates won 7-2, taking an early lead and maintaining control throughout the game.

What injury did Chase Dollander suffer during the game?

Chase Dollander was removed from the game due to right arm tightness after struggling in the first inning.

Endy Rodriguez drives in a pair of runs in his return to the majors, Pirates top Rockies 7-2

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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