Rockies lead from start to finish for the first time this year in 3-2 victory over skidding Pirates

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ryan McMahon homered into the Allegheny River, Cal Quantrill pitched into the eighth inning and the Colorado Rockies finally held onto a lead during a 3-2 win over the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night.

Colorado trailed in each of its first 31 games this season, a modern-era record. But not this time around.

“I'll sleep a little better because I haven't been sleeping well at all,” Rockies manager Bud Black said with a laugh after he was reminded that the streak was over. “Really, it's been awful.”

McMahon put the Rockies in front when he opened the sixth with a drive over the right-field stands against Martín Pérez for his fifth homer. The ball splashed into the Allegheny 445 feet from home plate, the 71st time a home run has reached the water since PNC Park opened in 2001.

“It’s kind of like the goal of every hitter when you come in here to really juice one because you want to see it go in there,” McMahon said.

Elehuris Montero and Brendan Rodgers added RBI singles later in the sixth, and Quantrill (1-3) and two relievers did the rest as Colorado led wire to wire for the first time since beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1 in September.

Jake Bird struck out Andrew McCutchen with two on to end the eighth. Jalen Beeks gave up a two-run homer to Oneil Cruz in the ninth that also reached the Allegheny, but he recorded two outs for his first save of the season.

The Rockies flirted with ending the streak this week in Miami when they took an early five-run lead on the Marlins only to fall in extra innings.

Quantrill beat the Pirates for the first time by limiting Pittsburgh to three hits with nine strikeouts. His only trouble spot came in the second when Rowdy Tellez and Jared Triolo singled with one out. Quantrill fanned Jack Suwinski and Joey Bart to end the threat, beginning a stretch in which he retired 18 of 19 batters. He was removed after hitting Bart with two outs in the eighth.

The victory was just the eighth in 32 games for Colorado, though Quantrill remains optimistic better days are ahead.

“This is a professional group and I still believe that we're talented enough to win our fair share of baseball games,” Quantrill said.

Triolo had two hits for the Pirates, but Pittsburgh's lineup sputtered once again.

The Pirates have dropped five straight and 14 of 17 following an 11-5 start. Pittsburgh has scored two runs or fewer 13 times during its swoon and is 3 for 40 with runners in scoring position over its last seven games.

“There’s a lot of work going on,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “We’re going through a tough stretch right now. We just have to keep working and build ourselves out of it.”

That lack of production is putting a lot of pressure on the pitching staff. Pérez (1-2), who has been solid in his first month with Pittsburgh, gave up eight hits with four walks in 5 1/3 inning as his ERA ticked up to 3.15.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rockies: LHP Kyle Freeland (left elbow strain) has begun playing catch though there remains no timetable for a possible return. Freeland has been out since April 15. ... Recalled RHP Angel Chivilli from Double-A Hartford and placed RHP Justin Lawrence on the paternity list.

Pirates: Activated C Yasmani Grandal (left foot plantar fasciitis) off the injured list and optioned C Henry Davis to Triple-A Indianapolis.

UP NEXT

The series continues on Saturday when hard-throwing Pittsburgh rookie Jared Jones (2-3, 3.18 ERA) faces Colorado's Austin Gomber (0-2, 4.50 ERA).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Martín Pérez delivers during the first inning of a baseball against the Colorado Rockies in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Martín Pérez delivers during the first inning of a baseball against the Colorado Rockies in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Colorado Rockies' Ryan McMahon (24) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Martín Pérez (54) during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Derek Shelton stands on the dugout steps during the second inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Cal Quantrill, center, waits to hand the ball to manager Bud Black (10) during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Oneil Cruz walks back to the dugout after striking out during the second inning of a baseball against Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Cal Quantrill in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Martín Pérez, third from right, gets a visit from pitching coach Oscar Marin during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Colorado Rockies' Elehuris Montero, right, doubles off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Martín Pérez, driving in a run, during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Colorado Rockies' Elehuris Montero celebrates as he stands on second base after driving in a run with a double off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Martín Pérez during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Cal Quantrill delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Cal Quantrill delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Colorado Rockies' Ryan McMahon, right, is greeted by Elias Díaz as he heads to the dugout after hitting a solo home run off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Martín Pérez during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

DENVER (AP) — Matt Duchene scored at 11:42 of the second overtime after being involved in a play that led to a goal disallowed for goaltender interference in the first extra period, and the Dallas Stars advanced to the Western Conference final with a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 6 on Friday night.

Duchene, a former draft pick of the Avalanche, secured a loose puck in front of the net and sent it over a sprawled out Alexandar Georgiev. Duchene took off down the ice and slid on his knees in celebration.

Dallas advances to face either Edmonton or Vancouver next. It’s the second straight trip to the conference final for the Stars, who lost last season to eventual Stanley Cup champion Vegas. The Stars won their only Stanley Cup title in 1999.

Jamie Benn tied the game at 1:56 of the third period. Mason Marchment thought he scored the winner with 7:29 left in the first overtime but it was waved off for goaltender interference. The play was reviewed and the call on the ice stood. Duchene was jostling with Cale Makar in front of Georgiev, leading to a call. The NHL’s situation room explained that Duchene impaired Georgiev’s ability to play his position in the crease.

Jake Oettinger was stellar all night in making 29 saves. One of his biggest was a close-range shot from Artturi Lehkonen down low midway through the second OT.

This was a series in which the road team won five of six games, including the Stars taking all three in Denver. The Avalanche were the top home team in the regular season, while the Stars had the best road record.

Dallas joins Florida and the New York Rangers as teams that closed out a second-round series in six games. It’s just the third postseason to have three Round 2 matchups decided in six games (1999 and 2004).

It was a tumultuous postseason for Colorado, with Valeri Nichushkin suspended before Game 4 for violating terms of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.

Colorado scored the opening goal of the game for the first time in the series when Mikko Rantanen sent a wrist shot over Oettinger early in the second period on a power play.

Cale Makar had an assist to give him 80 career playoff points in 72 games played. He’s the fifth defenseman in NHL history to amass 80 career postseason points in 80 or fewer games, joining Bobby Orr (66 games), Paul Coffey (67), Brian Leetch (70) and Al MacInnis (71).

Both team were missing forwards, with Roope Hintz out for Dallas and Yakov Trenin for Colorado.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Colorado Avalanche center Casey Mittelstadt, left, pushes Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene, center, against Colorado goaltender Alexandar Georgiev during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene, left, has his shot blocked by Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev during the first overtime of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche left wing Jonathan Drouin, left, and Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn reach for the puck during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Dallas Stars left wings Jamie Benn, left, and Jason Robertson warm up before Game 6 of the team's NHL hockey playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen, center, works for position in front of the net against Dallas Stars defenseman Esa Lindell, right, as goaltender Jake Oettinger stops a shot during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen, left, congratulates right wing Mikko Rantanen for a goal against the Dallas Stars during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley, left, tries to knock the puck away from Colorado Avalanche right wing Brandon Duhaime during the first period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche center Andrew Cogliano stumbles next to Dallas Stars center Craig Smith during the first period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger makes a glove save against the Colorado Avalanche during the first period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen, right, is congratulated for a goal against the Dallas Stars during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene, front, pursues the puck, in front of Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)