Chad Bettis, so good in his previous starts, including six shutout innings against the Chicago Cubs, labored in the first inning. It looked like he and Nick Hundley were having trouble communicating. Bettis threw 25 pitches and wound up with runners on second and third. John Jaso, the runner on third, only stayed there because Carlos Gonzalez was in right, and you don’t run on him unless you’re feeling real strong. Bettis got out of the inning without allowing a run, but he was lucky to do so.
The Rockies’ offense showed up to play early as well, hoping to take advantage of a Pirates’ pitching staff every bit as unsteady.