Helton hits 2-run homer in 9th, Rockies beat Pirates 9-7

Helton homers in 9th, Rockies beat Pirates 9-7

DENVER — Todd Helton hit a two-run homer with one out in the ninth inning and the Colorado Rockies won their fourth straight game, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-7 Saturday night.

The Rockies have won 15 of 16 overall.

Colorado’s Chris Iannetta tied it at 7 with three-run homer in the eighth. Ian Stewart came within a single of hitting for the cycle and drove in three runs for the Rockies.

Huston Street (2-1) pitched a scoreless ninth for the victory. Colorado’s Jason Hammel allowed five runs on eight hits in six-plus innings.

Andrew McCutchen hit a bases-loaded triple, Nyjer Morgan matched a career high with four hits and Brandon Moss added two RBIs on three hits for the Pirates, who have lost six straight at Coors Field.

Trailing 7-4 in the eighth, John Grabow walked Brad Hawpe and gave up a two-out single to Carlos Gonzalez before Iannetta followed with a home run to center.

Pinch-hitter Seth Smith singled off Jesse Chavez (0-3) with one out before Helton’s drive into the Pirates’ bullpen in right center field.

The Pirates took a 6-4 lead with a four-run seventh inning highlighted by McCutchen’s three-run triple. Moss added an RBI double in the top of the eighth inning.

The Rockies led 4-2 after Stewart’s two-run homer to straightaway center off Sean Burnett with one out and Tulowitzki aboard in the sixth.

Pittsburgh went ahead 2-1 in the third on Freddy Sanchez’s RBI double into the gap in right after Stewart’s RBI double. He added a triple in the next inning, scoring on an RBI single by Carlos Gonzalez.

NOTES: Rockies setup man Manny Corpas was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to inflammation caused by a floating bone chip his right elbow a day after receiving a cortisone shot and an MRI. … Rockies LHP Greg Smith will make a rehab start on Tuesday for Double-A Tulsa. … Morgan caught a foul ball while sitting on top of the wall along the left-field line in the third inning. … Grabow moved into 10th place and third among all left-handers for the Pirates with his 376th appearance.