Pirates 4, Rockies 3: 30 games over .500

For the first time since 1992, the Pittsburgh Pirates are 30 games over .500. It is an accomplishment that fans thought that they might never see when the Bucs were marred in their historic 20 year streak without a winning season, spanning from 1993-2012. But that day is here, and Pirate fans have a lot to cheer about as their team continues to play good baseball, winning their 4th straight game on Saturday night.

Aramis Ramirez made sure J.A. Happ would have some run support, as he belted a 3-run first inning homer over the left field wall to give the Bucs an early 3-0 lead. It was Ramirez's 2nd home run since joining the Bucs and 13th overall this season. The Rockies would make it 3-1 in the top of the 3rd when Charlie Blackmon hit into a force out, scoring Barrett Barnes from 3rd. That's all the scoring that would be done off of Happ, who had his 4th straight solid outing for the Bucs, pitching 5.2 innings, allowing 1 earned run on 5 hits while walking just 2, improving his record to 3-1 since joining the club. Pittsburgh would add an insurance run in the bottom of the 7th when Gregory Polanco grounded into a force out, scoring Starling Marte to push the lead to 4-1. Mark Melancon made things interesting in the 9th when he allowed a 2-run blast by Nick Hundly to cut the lead to 4-3. But Melancon barred down to pick up his 43rd save of the season, tying Jose Mesa for 2nd on the all time list for saves in a season by a Pirate. 

Aramis Rameriz had the biggest hit of the night, and for that he wins my award for both play and player of the game. Despite being 30 games over .500, the Bucs are still 3.5 games back of the St. Louis Cardinals for 1st in the NL Central. Charlie Morton will oppose Jorge De La Rosa on the mound at PNC Park tomorrow as the Bucs look for a sweep. The Rockies are the only NL West team that the Pirates have not swept yet this season, as the Bucs have a fantastic 21-4 record against that division. First pitch is at 1:35.