DENVER (Interstat) — The Colorado Rockies staged a dramatic eighth-inning rally to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 on Friday night at Coors Field, erasing a three-run deficit and handing the Pirates a tough loss despite a strong start from left-hander Kyle Freeland.

The game remained scoreless through the first two innings as both starters settled in. Freeland, who entered with a 7-0 record despite recent struggles, worked efficiently, allowing only four hits over 7 1/3 innings while striking out eight. He surrendered two earned runs — both coming in the eighth inning — but departed with the game tied, eventually earning a no-decision. Colorado’s offense was kept in check early by Pirates rookie pitcher Bubba Chandler, who tossed six innings of six-hit ball, allowing two runs — one earned — while striking out one.

Colorado broke through in the third inning. After Sterlin Thompson was hit by a pitch, Ezequiel Tovar reached on a bunt single. A forceout at third left runners at first and second with one out. Then Willi Castro stepped in and ripped a double to right field, scoring Tovar to put the Rockies ahead 1-0. The Pirates threatened in the top of the fourth but could not score, and the Rockies extended their lead in the bottom half when first baseman TJ Rumfield launched his 11th home run of the season to right field, making it 2-0.

The Pirates’ offense remained dormant through the middle innings. Freeland retired nine of 10 batters he faced between the fourth and sixth innings, and the Rockies held the two-run advantage into the eighth. But Pittsburgh finally broke through in the top of the frame.

Esmerlyn Valdez led off with a double to center field, and Jared Triolo followed with a double to right, scoring Valdez and cutting the deficit to 2-1. Bryan Reynolds then greeted reliever Jaden Hill with a single to center, plating Triolo to tie the game. Spencer Horwitz was hit by a pitch, and Nick Gonzales delivered a triple to right field, driving in Horwitz to give the Pirates a 3-2 lead. Hill was replaced by Antonio Senzatela, who got Ryan O’Hearn to fly out to end the inning. The Pirates had taken the lead on four hits in the inning.

But Colorado answered immediately in the bottom half. With one out, Tyler Freeman singled off Pirates reliever Mason Montgomery. Cole Carrigg followed with a single, putting runners at first and second. Then Braxton Fulford, pinch-hitting for Hill in the designated hitter role, crushed a double to center field, scoring both Freeman and Carrigg to put the Rockies ahead 4-3. Fulford’s two-run double proved to be the game-winning hit. Montgomery, who entered the game in the eighth, took the loss, falling to 2-2 on the season.

Senzatela pitched a scoreless ninth, allowing one hit while striking out one, to earn his seventh win without a loss. He retired the final four batters he faced, including inducing a game-ending double play from Jared Triolo in the ninth inning.

Freeland’s performance was a bright spot for the Rockies. After allowing six earned runs in a loss to on June 13 and three earned runs against Milwaukee on June 7, he regained his command against Pittsburgh. He threw 7 1/3 innings, allowing only four hits and two earned runs while striking out eight, walking none. He left the game with the score tied 2-2 after the Pirates’ three-run eighth, but Senzatela preserved the tie and then got the win.

Chandler also had a solid outing for Pittsburgh, limiting the Rockies to two runs over six innings. He scattered six hits, walked one and struck out one, but did not factor in the decision. The Pirates bullpen allowed two runs over two innings, with Yohan Ramírez pitching a scoreless seventh, retiring all four batters he faced.

Pittsburgh’s offense was led by Triolo, who went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Gonzales went 1 for 4 with a triple and an RBI. Reynolds also drove in a run on a single. For Colorado, Rumfield had two hits, including his home run, and Castro drove in a run with a double. Fulford’s game-winning double was the key hit of the night.

The game drew 33,596 fans at Coors Field, a sellout crowd that saw a crisp contest lasting just 2 hours, 16 minutes. The win improved Colorado’s record to 29-47, while Pittsburgh fell to 38-38. The two teams will face each other again Saturday as part of a three-game series.

The Pirates had posted a 12-4 win over the Athletics on Wednesday in their most recent game before the series, and entered Friday night as a slight road favorite. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Pittsburgh 3, Colorado 5, and Interstatl’s ELO system had given Pittsburgh a 62.30 percent probability to win. The betting spread favored Pittsburgh by 1.5 runs, and the total of seven runs scored went over the over-under line set at 11.5.