DENVER -- The Pirates-Rockies game scheduled for Thursday at Coors Field was postponed well before game time because of inclement weather.
As the announcement came shortly after 11:30 a.m. MT, the scoreboard showed a temperature of 37 degrees. Intermittent light snow had fallen. Scheduled game time was 1:10 p.m. No makeup announcement was immediately made.
The postponement comes at a good time for the Rockies. Manager Walt Weiss made his lineup card with a planned day off for rookie shortstop Trevor Story -- his second in three days. He also wanted to give right fielder Carlos Gonzalez, who has started every game, off Friday at Arizona.
The Rockies have lost five straight, including six of the last seven. They went 1-5 on the just-completed homestand, during which their starters compiled a 9.72 ERA. They overcame a six-run deficit Sunday against the Dodgers and came back from seven runs down Wednesday against the Pirates, yet lost both contests.
Additionally, the bullpen was fatigued because starters Jorge De La Rosa and Jon Gray went three innings and 3 2/3 frames, respectively, on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Rockies announced that they were pushing their rotation back for the three-game series at Arizona. Tyler Chatwood, Thursday's scheduled starter, will pitch Friday, followed by lefty Chris Rusin and righty Chad Bettis. The club has not named its starter for Monday's opener at San Diego, but it could potentially be righty Eddie Butler, who was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday and was used for 41 pitches in relief.
Before the decision was announced, Weiss said during his pregame media session, "I'm not going to kick and scream if we don't play."
The Rockies issued a press release saying they will make an additional announcement when a makeup date is determined.
Also, according to the release:
• Tickets from April 28, 2016, will be valid for the makeup game or be exchanged, value for value, for any game this season as long as the exchange is made prior to the rescheduled game. Complimentary tickets have a value of $0 and cannot be exchanged.
• Discounted tickets may be exchanged only for the amount paid to the Rockies and are subject to any constraints applicable to the original sale.
• There will be no cash refunds. Ticket exchanges will be accepted at the Coors Field Ticket Office and all Rockies Dugout Stores.
• Tickets purchased through StubHub for April 28, 2016, are valid for the rescheduled game. StubHub customers who cannot attend the rescheduled game should contact StubHub customer service. StubHub tickets are not valid for exchanges at Coors Field or Rockies Dugout Stores.