Preview: Colorado Rockies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates. Tyler Matzek vs. Jeff Locke

Jul 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Tyler Matzek (46) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

We’ve seen this story before, haven’t we? The Colorado Rockies suffered another bullpen collapse last night as they fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates in extra innings, 3-2. The positives we can take out of those games is that the starting pitching from Jorge De La Rosa and Brett Anderson were phenomenal. The bullpen on the other hand, yikes.

Pitching Matchup:

COL: Tyler Matzek (1-4, 4.97 ERA)
PIT: Jeff Locke (2-1, 2.89 ERA)

Tyler Matzek takes the hill for the Colorado Rockies looking to avoid the three-game sweep. Matzek pitched well enough in his last outing against the Minnesota Twins to keep the Rockies in the ballgame, but the bullpen was up to its usual tricks. Matzek picked up his fourth loss of the season, giving up four earned on seven hits through six innings. Tyler would walk just one batter while striking out two.

Jeff Locke toes the rubber for the Pittsburgh Pirates as the brooms will be out in full force at PNC Park. Locke picked up a tough-luck no-decision in his last start, giving up  three runs (one earned) on nine hits over 6.1 innings as he struck out five Reds. Today will mark his ninth start of the season as he currently sits with a record of 2-1, 2.89 ERA.

Rockies Lineup:

1: Brandon Barnes – LF
2: Josh Rutledge – SS
3: Carlos Gonzalez – RF
4: Nolan Arenado – 3B
5: Drew Stubbs – CF
6: Charlie Culberson – 1B
7: Michael McKenry – C
8: DJ LeMahieu – 2B
9: Tyler Matzek – P

Game Notes:

• Charlie Culberson is 1-for-3 lifetime vs. Jeff Locke with 1 double.
• Troy Tulowitzki (leg) is day-to-day and not in the lineup.
• This is Tyler Matzek’s first career start vs. Pittsburgh Pirates.

First-pitch between the Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates is scheduled for 1:35 PM ET, 11:35 PM MT.