Fulford's pinch 2-run double in 8th lifts Rockies past Pirates 4-3, Freeland reaches 1,000 Ks

DENVER (AP) — Pinch-hitter Braxton Fulford had a go-ahead two-run double with two outs in the eighth inning, Antonio Senzatela got out of a bases-loaded jam with no outs in the ninth and the Colorado Rockies held on for a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night.

Rockies starter Kyle Freeland got his 1,000th career strikeout, the second player in franchise history to reach the milestone.

The Pirates took a 3-2 lead in the eighth on an RBI double by Jared Triolo off Freeland and a run-scoring single by pinch-hitter Bryan Reynolds and an RBI triple by Nick Gonzales against Jaden Hill.

But the Rockies came right back in their half of the eighth when Tyler Freeman and Cole Carrigg had consecutive two-out singles against Mason Montgomery (2-2). Fulford came in to pinch hit for Sterlin Thompson and doubled into the gap between left and center field to put Colorado up 4-3.

Senzatela (7-0) gave up a leadoff single in the ninth to Marcel Ozuna and Brandon Lowe singled on a ball that bounced off the leg of shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and into the outfield, putting the tying run at third base. Senzatela then walked Endy Rodríguez to load the bases. But he struck out Tyler Callihan and got Triolo to ground into a double play to end the game.

Freeland, who struck out Ozuna in the seventh to reach 1,000 strikeouts and then fanned Lowe, trails only Germán Márquez (1,069) on the Rockies' career list. Freeland finished with eight strikeouts and allowed two runs and four hits in 7 1/3 innings.

The Rockies took a 1-0 lead in the third on an RBI double by Willi Castro. TJ Rumfield hit a solo homer in the fourth to make it 2-0.

RHP Paul Skenes (6-6, 2.85 ERA) will start for the Pirates on Saturday in the middle game of the series. RHP Tomoyuki Sungano (7-4, 4.54) will start for the Rockies.

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

Colorado Rockies pinch hitter Braxton Fulford celebrates after his two-run double off Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Mason Montgomery in the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 19, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Mason Montgomery reacts after giving up a two-run double to Colorado Rockies pinch hitter Braxton Fulford in the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 19, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Antonio Senzatela reacts after getting Pittsburgh Pirates' Jared Triolo to hit into a double play with the bases loaded to end a baseball game Friday, June 19, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland, center, is congratulated as he returns to the dugout after he was pulled from the mound in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies pinch-hitter Braxton Fulford follows the flight of his two-run double off Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Mason Montgomery in the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 19, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Vinícius Júnior showed why he's the most valuable player for five-time World Cup champion Brazil, scoring one goal and helping to create two others in a 3-0 victory over Haiti on Friday night.

The soon-to-be 26-year-old left winger scored at the end of the first half on a breakaway, casually flicking the ball past Haitian goalkeeper Johny Placide. He also assisted on one goal by Matheus Cunha and set up a rebound that led to another.

Vinícius' breakout performance brought Brazil back in the wake of a 1-1 draw against Morocco last week that left coach Carlo Ancelotti apologizing to fans. After applying steady pressure against Haiti in the opening minutes, Brazil broke through with an offensive torrent.

“Everyone was feeling lighter today and the field was also in a better condition, so we were able to do our soccer,” Vinícius said. “We hope to continue in this form and continue evolving and improving in the competition, which is what’s most important.”

Vinícius took a bending shot that rebounded off Placide's gloves and set up Cunha for the put-away that made it 1-0. Thirteen minutes later, he set Cunha up with a long feed that Cunha drove into the net.

In the third minute of injury time, it was Vinícius who corralled a long pass and easily won the 1-on-1 matchup with the diving goalkeeper.

He nearly had another assist halfway through the second half with a one-touch pass to an open Gabriel Martinelli, who launched the ball off the post.

Vinícius partly credited his breakthrough to Ancelotti's decision to move him between the forwards, a different position than he's used to.

“I don’t play much there, but whenever the coach asks me to play there, I score, so I have to listen to him more,” he said.

Before the game, the player nicknamed “Viní” had said he thought he had more to show in the tournament — even after scoring the goal that brought Brazil even with Morocco.

He now believes Brazil is hitting its stride.

“This was a very important game for us,” he said. “We were able to do our game. It gave us tranquility and superiority inside the field, where we were able to do many plays and score the goals.”

Coming off scoring 16 goals in 36 games with Real Madrid, he made an effort to help the defense on several occasions against Haiti and created numerous scoring chances.

Brazil and Morocco are tied atop Group C with four points, followed by Scotland with three.

The Brazilians are ranked sixth in the world; Haiti is 85th and became the first team eliminated from the tournament.

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup

Brazil's Vinicius Junior runs with the ball during the World Cup Group C soccer match against Haiti in Philadelphia, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Brazil's Vinicius Junior leaves the pitch to be substituted during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Brazil and Haiti in Philadelphia, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Brazil's Vinicius Junior (7) celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Brazil and Haiti in Philadelphia, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Brazil's Vinicius Junior (7) celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Brazil and Haiti in Philadelphia, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Brazil's Vinicius Junior (7) scores the third goal for his team against Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide (1) during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Brazil and Haiti in Philadelphia, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)