Baseball fans love a good comeback story, and Endy Rodriguez just wrote the latest chapter in Pittsburgh. The Pirates' catcher made a triumphant return to the majors on Thursday, delivering two hits and driving in a pair of runs to help the Bucs roll past the Colorado Rockies 7-2 at PNC Park.
Rodriguez, who was once the crown jewel of Pittsburgh's farm system, has been through the wringer. After missing all of 2024 and most of 2025 due to two elbow surgeries, he finally got back on the big league stage for the first time since June 6, 2025. And he didn't waste a moment. In the second inning, he doubled off Rockies starter Chase Dollander, then followed it up with a two-run single in the third that put the game well out of reach.
The Pirates wasted no time building a cushion. Ryan O'Hearn was the offensive star of the afternoon, collecting three hits including a two-run homer in the first inning that set the tone. Rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin and Jared Triolo also chipped in with two hits apiece as Pittsburgh took two of three from Colorado to start a six-game homestand.
Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly played matchups early, using left-handed relievers Mason Montgomery and Evan Sisk to neutralize the lefty-heavy portion of Colorado's lineup. Right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski came on in the third with a comfortable 6-0 lead and worked five innings, allowing two runs to improve to 3-3 on the season.
The Rockies' night went from bad to worse when Dollander, a 2023 first-round pick, was pulled after just 1.1 innings with right arm tightness. Troy Johnston managed a two-run double for Colorado, but it was too little, too late as the Rockies lost for the sixth time in their last seven visits to PNC Park.
The first inning alone showed why the Pirates are a dangerous team when they get rolling. Oneil Cruz started things with a double to left that Rockies left fielder Jordan Beck seemed to lose in the lights. Cruz jogged to second, scored on a Bryan Reynolds single, and O'Hearn followed with his eighth homer of the season. From there, the rout was on.
For fans of the game, seeing Rodriguez back in action is a reminder that perseverance pays off. And for Pirates fans, it's a glimpse of what could be a special second half.
What's Next:
The Rockies head home to face Arizona in a three-game series starting Friday. The Pirates host cross-state rival Philadelphia for a three-game set, and they'll be looking to keep this momentum going.