The Colorado Rockies (35-54) averted disaster after blowing a 3-run ninth inning lead, with Dexter Fowler’s walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 9th to top the Pittsburgh Pirates (49-40) 5-4 last night in Denver. The win came after a 58-minute rain delay. Game two of the series is tonight at 6:40 at Coors Field (TV: Root Sports).

The Rockies led the Pirates all the way until the ninth inning rain delay, only to see Pedro Alvarez tie the game with a three-run homer on the first pitch after play resumed.

Wilin Rosario singled off Jason Grilli (1-3) to open the bottom of the ninth. Josh Rutledge bunted a third strike foul, but pinch-hitter Jason Giambi singled Rosario to third, and Fowler delivered the game-winning fly ball to center as the Rockies handed the Pirates their fourth loss in 11 games.

Starter Jeff Francis, despite falling behind in counts and not feeling sharp, held the Pirates to one run and six hits in five innings. Reliever Josh Roenicke threw three scoreless innings with one hit and one walk to lower his ERA to 2.33. Third baseman Jordan Pacheco, still learning his position, made diving plays against Clint Barmes to open the third and Josh Harrison to open the sixth. Rutledge made a running, spinning play on an Andrew McCutchen grounder to shortstop after Pacheco robbed Harrison.

The Rockies scored four runs in the fifth off Jeff Karstens, who gave up six hits and four runs in seven innings and drove in a run with a fifth-inning single.

Tyler Colvin led off the fifth with a walk, Rosario and Rutledge followed with singles, with the latter scoring Colvin. Eric Young Jr. followed with a two-run pinch-hit double. Young has five hits in his last six at-bats with three RBIs. Marco Scutaro added a run-scoring single.

Tickets are available for tonight’s game vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates at Coors Field, and can be purchased by calling (800) 388-ROCK, or click here.

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