Mickey Moniak Turned 28 and Decided to Wreck the Pirates With 5 RBIs

Sometimes a birthday cake just isn't enough. Mickey Moniak walked into PNC Park on Wednesday night and decided to celebrate turning 28 by going absolutely nuclear at the plate, collecting four hits and five RBIs to lead the Colorado Rockies to a 10-4 demolition of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The guy came one hit short of the cycle, which is not a bad way to mark another trip around the sun.

The Birthday Blast That Changed Everything

The biggest moment came in the fifth inning when Moniak stepped up against Pirates starter Mitch Keller and launched a three-run homer that traveled 372 feet to right field. That shot snapped a 3-3 tie and ignited a six-run explosion for Colorado that buried Pittsburgh. It was Moniak's 12th homer of the season and matched his career high for RBIs, which he'd set last September against the San Diego Padres.

What made it even wilder was the context. Keller had retired the first 12 batters he faced without incident. The Pirates starter looked locked in, looking to follow up on Paul Skenes' near no-hitter from the night before. Then the fifth inning hit and everything fell apart for Pittsburgh. TJ Rumfield, Troy Johnston, and Kyle Karros all singled to get Colorado on the board. Jake McCarthy doubled in a run. Ezequiel Tovar singled to tie it. Then Moniak's three-run shot put the Rockies ahead for good.

Moniak's Night Didn't Stop There

The birthday kid came back for more in the eighth, doubling off Pirates reliever Brandan Bidois. Then in the ninth, he tripled off Justin Lawrence to drive in the 10th run. Keller took the loss, giving up six runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings while striking out three.

The Rockies got some help elsewhere too. TJ Rumfield finished with three hits and added his sixth homer of the season in the eighth. Antonio Senzatela came on in relief and pitched three solid innings, allowing just one run on Ryan O'Hearn's solo shot in the sixth.

The Pirates got out to an early lead in the second inning when O'Hearn doubled and scored on a throwing sequence involving Henry Davis and third baseman Kyle Karros. Nick Gonzales was then caught in a rundown and awarded a run after Jose Quintana was called for interference, giving Pittsburgh a 2-0 advantage. Bryan Reynolds added an RBI single in the third to extend the lead to 3-0. But once that fifth inning came around, the Pirates had no answer for the Rockies' firepower.

The game got pushed back 25 minutes due to inclement weather, but once it got rolling, the Rockies made sure this one wouldn't be close.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.