PITTSBURGH — Bubba Chandler ran in from the bullpen to rock and roll. He left the mound to four ovations and fireworks, a perfect major league debut on a perfect day for the Pirates.

Chandler pitched the final four innings of the Pirates’ 9-0 demolition of the Rockies on Friday night at PNC Park. He allowed two hits. He struck out three. He earned the save, the first-ever Pirate to earn a save in his big league debut.

It couldn’t have gone much better.

Chandler’s debut started with a bump, as veteran infielder Orlando Arcia doubled off the left-field wall. He then struck out second baseman Ryan Ritter, who watched a 99.9 mph-fastball on the corner. Designated hitter Tyler Freeman grounded out, moving the runner to third. Center fielder Mickey Moniak waved at 100.4-mph heat to end the frame.

Chandler kept cruising from there. He retired the Rockies in order in the seventh. He hit a batter to lead off the eighth, then immediately induced a double play. He ended the eighth with a strikeout of Arcia, who waved at a 93.2-mph change-up that dove out of the zone.

The ninth started with a Ritter single. Freeman followed with a towering fly ball that Tommy Pham caught on the left-field warning track. The next two batters hit liners at outfielders. When Jack Suwinski caught the final out, a liner from Ezequiel Tovar, Chandler gave catcher Henry Davis a handshake. Fireworks shot off overhead. During his postgame on-field interview, the PNC Park crowd chanted, “Bubba!”

It was the perfect ending to a stellar debut.

It was over when ...

The first time the Pirates faced Colorado starter Antonio Senzatela, they scored nine runs and ended his night before the first inning was over. Friday wasn’t as prolific, as they scored a mere five runs in two innings. Given the venue was PNC Park instead of Coors Field, the scoreline felt far safer.

On the mound

Before Chandler’s debut, the standout on the mound was Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft. Ashcraft had the best outing of his young career, allowing one hit in five shutout innings and facing one more than the minimum. He walked one and struck out six.

At the plate

The Pirates beat up on Senzatela and the hapless Rockies pitching staff. They finished the game with 14 hits, including 10 for extra bases — three homers and seven doubles.

Designated hitter Andrew McCutchen did the early damage, hitting two-run doubles off Senzatela in both the first and second innings to build the five-run lead. The Pirates added three more in the sixth off reliever Anthony Molina with a solo homer from first baseman Spencer Horwitz, a double from right fielder Bryan Reynolds and a two-run shot from left fielder Tommy Pham.

Alexander Canario, in for Reynolds, added a no-doubt solo homer in the eighth, his first homer since May 16. It was that kind of day for the Pirates.

Most valuable player

McCutchen. On the day the Pirates honored three new inductees into their team Hall of Fame, McCutchen continued to show why he’s a future honoree. He finished the game 2 for 4 with two doubles, four RBIs and an intentional walk.

Up next

The Pirates and Rockies continue their three-game set at 6:40 p.m. Saturday. Mike Burrows (1-4, 4.46 ERA) will start for Pittsburgh, while the Rockies counter with lefty Kyle Freeland (3-12, 5.16).

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