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The Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates had a classic game that ended in controversy on Saturday night.
Rockies outfielder Jake McCarthy led off the game with an inside-the-park leadoff home run off Pirates star Paul Skenes to start the game. Colorado came out with a 2-1 victory, but the Pirates thought they had tied the game in the top of the ninth inning.
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Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly argues with umpire Todd Tichenor after a force out ended the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies in Denver on June 20, 2026. (David Zalubowski/AP)
Pirates batter Jake Mangum hit a grounder to Rockies third baseman Kyle Karros. The infielder loaded the ball and met baserunner Billy Cook at the same time. The umpires called everyone safe on the field, which would have resulted in a tie game. Karros was in disbelief as he signaled to his manager to challenge the call.
After the umpires met, Cook was called out for baserunner interference. Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly was angry.
“The runner failed to avoid the fielder in the act of playing the baseball; that’s why he’s called out. It’s very simple,” crew chief Todd Tichenor told a pool reporter after the game, via MLB.com.
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Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on June 20, 2026. (David Zalubowski/AP)
Karros said Cook’s cleat “kind of clipped my glove” during the play.
Kelly said he agreed that Cook hit Karros’ glove as he ran to third base. However, he didn’t understand why the refs had to scramble to get the call right.
Cook added that he didn’t think he made contact until he saw the replay.
“Just unfortunate how it went,” he continued.
Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz hit a home run in the first inning – accounting for Pittsburgh’s only run in the loss.
TJ Rumfield had the other RBI for Colorado. He scored McCarthy.
Colorado Rockies’ Jake McCarthy returns to the dugout after hitting an inside-the-park hit from Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on June 20, 2026. (David Zalubowski/AP)
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Colorado improved to 30-47 on the year. Pittsburgh fell to 38-39.
