Rockies top Pirates 8-5 on Aug 3, 2025, as Warming Bernabel stays hot. But a ninth-inning injury to closer Seth Halvorsen puts a damper on the win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a night of soaring highs and a potentially devastating low at Coors Field. The Rockies erupted for a six-run sixth inning to take down the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-5, but the cheers were replaced by concerned silence in the ninth as closer Seth Halvorsen walked off the mound with a troubling arm injury.
.500 - Warming Bernabel's batting average through his first seven MLB games, a historic start for the rookie infielder.
It's hard to imagine a better start to a big-league career. Rookie infielder Warming Bernabel continued his scorching introduction to the majors, extending his hitting streak to seven games with a two-double, one-single performance. The phenomenal start has pushed his batting average to an even .500 (14-for-28). He's not just getting singles, either; his first week includes four doubles, three home runs, and a triple. In a season of development, Bernabel has become must-see TV every single night.
For five innings, Pirates ace Paul Skenes looked untouchable. But the sixth inning at Coors Field can humble anyone. The Rockies exploded for six runs, kicked off by a massive three-run homer from Jordan Beck that snapped Skenes' 18-inning scoreless streak. Orlando Arcia added a homer of his own in the frame, and the offensive outburst was enough to secure Jaden Hill his very first MLB win. The wild game, which also saw a one-hour rain delay and three home runs from Pittsburgh's Liover Peguero, was a classic Coors Field affair.
The celebration came to an abrupt halt in the top of the ninth. After just five pitches, closer Seth Halvorsen signaled to the dugout, visibly uncomfortable with his right arm. He walked off the mound with his arm hanging, leaving a pit in the stomach of every Rockies fan. While the team secured the final outs, the focus immediately shifted from the win to the health of their closer. An extended absence for Halvorsen would be a significant blow to a bullpen that has relied on him heavily.
While the big-league club deals with uncertainty, the front office has been busy stocking the farm. The recent trade deadline saw the Rockies add several prospects, bolstering the organizational depth for years to come. One of the players already in the system, 2023 first-round pick Yanquiel Velazquez, is proving the future is bright. The High-A slugger is on a tear, hitting .338 with 12 extra-base hits in his last 20 games. He currently ranks among the Midwest League leaders in both extra-base hits and home runs, providing a promising glimpse of future power at Coors Field.
While the Rockies will savor a hard-fought win fueled by their exciting young core, all eyes will be on the MRI results. The immediate future of the bullpen, and perhaps the team's late-season trajectory, hangs in the balance, waiting for an update on Seth Halvorsen's right arm.
