Spencer Horwitz's 2 HRs & 6 RBIs powered the Pirates to a 9-5 win over the Rockies on Aug 3, 2025, avoiding a sweep. See how the slugger set the tone.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when it looked like a trip to the Mile High City would end in a sweep, Spencer Horwitz strapped the team to his back. The Pirates desperately needed a spark Sunday, and Horwitz provided a full-blown fireworks show, launching two homers and driving in a career-high six runs to power a 9-5 victory over the Rockies. That momentum appears to have traveled back to Pittsburgh, as the Bucs are already putting the pressure on the San Francisco Giants in tonight's series opener.
Two homers, a career-high six RBIs. Spencer Horwitz single-handedly prevented a sweep and set the tone for the week.
The Pirates' offense came alive in the thin Colorado air on Sunday, and no one's bat was louder than Spencer Horwitz's. He blasted a two-run homer in the second inning and followed it up with a massive three-run shot in the sixth to put the game out of reach. Tommy Pham added his own two-run homer, his fifth of the year, providing crucial insurance. While starter Mitch Keller (5-10) battled through five innings, giving up five runs, the offense did more than enough to secure the win. Even a trio of consecutive Rockies homers in the sixth wasn't enough to derail the Pirates' victory train, a much-needed result to avoid a sweep on the road.
Carrying the energy from Sunday's win, the Pirates returned to PNC Park on Monday to host the San Francisco Giants. They didn't waste any time, jumping out to an early 3-0 lead in the opening innings. Building on their strong 31-25 home record is critical for this team as they navigate the second half of the season. A series win against a tough Giants club would be a massive statement to start the homestand.
While the big-league club handles business at home, the front office is already seeing returns from the trade deadline. Infielder Sammy Stafura, the centerpiece of the Ke'Bryan Hayes trade, has been promoted to High-A Greensboro after just one series in Bradenton. The move isn't surprising given his performance; Stafura is hitting .261 with 33 extra-base hits and 28 steals on the year and immediately impressed with a double and a triple in his Marauders debut. Now ranked as the team's #7 prospect, he joins an exciting Greensboro roster that includes fellow top prospects Konnor Griffin and Jeter Martinez, creating a must-watch nucleus for the future of the franchise.
With a crucial win in the rearview mirror and an early lead in their pocket tonight, the Pirates have a chance to build real momentum. The focus now shifts to defending home turf against the Giants and continuing this offensive surge. Meanwhile, the rapid promotion of Sammy Stafura gives fans a tangible reason to be excited about the future, proving that even in a challenging season, there are bright spots on the horizon, both at PNC Park and down on the farm.
