Jared Jones dazzles, Jack Suwinski provides walk-off single as Pirates edge Rockies 1-0

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pinch-hitter Jack Suwinski singled home Connor Joe with two outs in the ninth inning to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday.

Joe led off the ninth against Nick Mears (0-3) with a single and eventually moved to third after walks to Jared Triolo and Oneil Cruz. Suwinski snapped an 0-for-12 skid by dropping a single into left as the Pirates snapped a five-game losing streak.

“Good at-bat, line drive through the middle, something we obviously needed a little bit,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “Just very good for our whole group.”

Jared Jones, Colin Holderman and David Bednar (2-2) combined for a one-hitter as the Pirates won for just the fourth time in their last 18 games. The Rockies managed just one baserunner, a double by Elias Diaz leading off the fifth.

“I’m just going out there and doing me,” Jones said after dropping his ERA to 2.63. “I’m sure I’ve had some spurts in my career where I’ve pitched just like this.”

The 22-year-old Jones has been a revelation during the season's opening weeks, dominating opponents with a fastball that can reach triple digits offset by a slider and change-up that can leave opponents guessing.

The right-hander baffled the Rockies, retiring the first 12 batters he faced before Díaz laced a clean double to the left-field corner. A strikeout and a pair of balls that didn't leave the infield later, Jones was jogging back to the dugout.

The Pirates have been careful with Jones in hopes of protecting his right arm. Shelton raised eyebrows when he lifted Jones after five innings and 59 pitches (50 of them strikes) against the New York Mets last month.

There was no early exit this time around. Jones went back out for the seventh for the first time in his career and navigated the middle of Colorado's lineup with ease, receiving a loud ovation when he retired the Rockies in order and headed to the dugout after throwing a season-high 96 pitches. Jones struck out 10 without a walk.

“I’ve had a short leash before, and that was to protect me,” Jones said. “Having him let me go out for the seventh, yeah, it pumped me up.”

Colorado starter Austin Gomber wasn't quite as dazzling but matched Jones while throwing six scoreless innings, allowing four hits against two walks and three strikeouts. The Rockies, off to a franchise-worst 8-25 start, have yet to win consecutive games this season.

No runner for either team reached third base through the first eight innings, a byproduct of two pitchers who had it going and offenses that have struggled to generate much of anything until Suwinski came through in the ninth.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rockies: OF Nolan Jones (low back strain) did some running and throwing on the field at PNC Park before the game. There remains no timetable for a return for Jones, who was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 29. ... 1B Kris Bryant (low back strain) is doing some “baseball stuff" according to manager Bud Black, though Black did not offer specifics. Bryant has been out since April 13.

UP NEXT

The series wraps up on Sunday. Bailey Falter (2-2, 4.22 ERA) starts for Pittsburgh against Colorado's Ryan Feltner (1-2, 5.13).

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Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Suwinski (65) celebrates with Oneil Cruz after driving in the game-winning run with a walk-off single off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Nick Mears during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 4, 2024. The Pirates won 1-0. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Suwinski, center, celebrates with Oneil Cruz, rear, after driving in the winning run with a walkoff single off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Nick Mears during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Suwinski (65) celebrates with teammates after driving in the winning run with a walkoff single off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Nick Mears during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Suwinski (65) walks off the field after driving in the winning run with a walkoff single off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Nick Mears during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black stands in the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, right, tags out Pittsburgh Pirates' Connor Joe (2) who was attempting to stretch a single into a double during the first inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Austin Gomber delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Austin Gomber delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Yasmani Grandal walks from the bullpen after warming up starting pitcher Jared Jones before a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PEZINOK, Slovakia (AP) — Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico ’s condition was stable but serious Saturday as the man accused of trying to assassinate him faced his first court appearance.

Health Minister Zuzana Dolinkova said two-hour surgery Friday to remove dead tissue from multiple gunshot wounds “contributed to a positive prognosis” for Fico.

Defense Minister Robert Kalinak said his condition still makes it impossible to transport him to the capital, Bratislava.

The update on Fico’s condition came as the man accused of attempting to assassinate him made his first court appearance Saturday, Slovak state media said.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

PEZINOK, Slovakia (AP) — The man accused of attempting to assassinate Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico made his first court appearance Saturday as the nation’s leader remained in serious condition recovering from surgery after surviving multiple gunshots, Slovak state media said.

Fico, 59, was attacked as he greeted supporters following a government meeting Wednesday in the former coal mining town of Handlova. The suspect was tackled to the ground and arrested.

Prosecutors are seeking an order from Slovakia’s Specialized Criminal Court to detain the suspect.

Prosecutors told police not to publicly identify the suspect or release other details about the case, but unconfirmed media reports said he was a 71-year-old retiree known as an amateur poet who may have once worked as a mall security guard in the country’s southwest.

Government authorities gave details that matched that description. They said the suspect didn’t belong to any political groups, though the attack itself was politically motivated.

The courthouse in Pezinok, a small town outside the capital, Bratislava, was guarded by officers wearing balaclavas and carrying rifles. News media were not allowed in the courthouse and reporters were kept behind a gate outside.

Police on Friday had taken the suspect to his home in the town of Levice and seized a computer and some documents, Markiza, a Slovak television station reported. Police didn’t comment.

Fico underwent another round of surgery Friday to remove dead tissue from his body, said Miriam Lapuníková, director of the University F. D. Roosevelt hospital in Banska Bystrica, where Fico was taken by helicopter after he was shot.

He also underwent a CT scan and was awake and stable in an intensive care unit. She described his condition as “very serious.”

World leaders have condemned the attack and offered support for Fico and Slovakia.

Fico has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond. His return to power last year on a pro-Russia, anti-American platform led to worries among fellow European Union and NATO members that he would abandon his country’s pro-Western course, particularly on Ukraine.

At the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Slovakia was one of Ukraine’s staunchest supporters, but Fico halted arms deliveries to Ukraine when he returned to power, his fourth time serving as prime minister.

Fico’s government has also made efforts to overhaul public broadcasting — a move critics said would give the government full control of public television and radio. That, coupled with his plans to amend the penal code to eliminate a special anti-graft prosecutor, have led opponents to worry that Fico will lead Slovakia down a more autocratic path.

Thousands of demonstrators have repeatedly rallied in the capital and around the country of 5.4 million to protest his policies.

Fico said last month on Facebook that he believed rising tensions in the country could lead to the killing of politicians, and he blamed the media for fueling tensions.

Before Fico returned to power last year, many of his political and business associates were the focus of police investigations, and dozens have been charged.

His plan to overhaul the penal system would eliminate the office of the special prosecutor that deals with organized crime, corruption and extremism.

Journalists gather as they wait for the suspect, in shooting of Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, to be brought to court in Pezinok, Slovakia, Saturday, May 18, 2024. Officials in Slovakia say Prime Minister Robert Fico has undergone another operation two days after his assassination attempt and remains in serious condition. (AP Photo/Tomas Benedikovic)

Policemen guard the area as they wait for the suspect, in shooting of Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, to be brought to court in Pezinok, Slovakia, Saturday, May 18, 2024. Officials in Slovakia say Prime Minister Robert Fico has undergone another operation two days after his assassination attempt and remains in serious condition. (AP Photo/Tomas Benedikovic)

Policemen guard the area as convoy brings the suspect, in shooting of Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, to court in Pezinok, Slovakia, Saturday, May 18, 2024. Officials in Slovakia say Prime Minister Robert Fico has undergone another operation two days after his assassination attempt and remains in serious condition. (AP Photo/Tomas Benedikovic)

FILE - Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks during a press conference with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the Carmelite Monastery in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. A man charged with attempting to assassinate Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was escorted by police to his home on the morning of Friday, May 17, 2024, with media saying that it was part of a search for evidence. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos, File)

Policemen guard the area as convoy brings the suspect, in shooting of Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, to court in Pezinok, Slovakia, Saturday, May 18, 2024. Officials in Slovakia say Prime Minister Robert Fico has undergone another operation two days after his assassination attempt and remains in serious condition. (AP Photo/Tomas Benedikovic)