On that day, Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez doesn’t even make it through the first inning, giving up a home run to leadoff batter Kevin Newman and throwing just 27 pitches, seven of those going for hits. He retires just two Pirates before manager Bud Black has seen enough and goes to his bullpen.
It was a broken moment in a broken Rockies season. Gonzalez also admits that it could’ve been a devastating blow to his confidence the rest of the season. Following the short start against the Pirates, the 27-year-old right-hander was 0-6 and had given up 12 runs and 10 hits in his last five innings.