Colorado Rockies Season Update #2

Rockies @ Blue Jays April 12th-14th Blue Jays win series 2-1 RD +1

After being home for their second series of the season against Arizona, the Rockies went on the road to Canada for the first time in almost a decade to face the Blue Jays. The first game was an offensive clinic for the Rocks, putting up 12 runs while only allowing 4. Tovar and Nolan Jones each homered in their 2-5 nights, both with 2 RBIs. McMahon continued to show off his plate vision improvements, going 4-6, while Brendan Rodgers was just short of the cycle in his 3-4 night. The following games unfortunately didn’t go as well, but it was game two where Nolan Jones was the player of the game for Colorado, getting on base 3 of the 4 times he stepped up to the plate. Sadly, it wasn’t enough to come back from the 1st inning grand slam by Daulton Varsho that put Toronto up 0-5. Dakota Hudson and the bullpen locked in afterward, not giving up a run in 7 innings while the offense tried their best to put themselves back in the game. Sadly, the offense didn’t pull through like they did the previous day, making the Blue Jays win game two 5-3. During game three, the offense really struggled to get on base, only doing so 4 times against José Berríos in his dominant 7 inning performance. The Rockies lost game three 0-5.

Rockies Best Performer: Nolan Jones 1.135 OPS, 4-12 with 3 XBH

Rockies Worst Performer: Charlie Blackmon 0-7, 2 SO

Rockies @ Phillies April 15th-17th Phillies sweep series 3-0 RD -7

The Rockies traveled from Toronto to Philadelphia without a day's rest, having to play game one of the three-game series against the Phillies the day after finishing up with Toronto. Game one was a pitcher's duel, Cal Quantrill going 6 innings with 1 run given up. While Aaron Nola was on the bump for Philadelphia, going 7.1 innings with 9 strikeouts and 1 run against. Rockies rookie Michael Toglia smashed a home run against Aaron Nola in the 5th, tying the game up until the 9th inning. It was after an Elías Díaz double that Bud Black decided to bring in more speed to try to take the lead. With a large chunk of players dealing with a mutual stomach bug at the time, Bud chose to pinch-run Kyle Freeland for Elías Díaz. Freeland ended up at 3rd after a wild pitch before intentionally walking Nolan Jones. Former Rockie Jeff Hoffman then threw another wild pitch, conveniently popping the ball up where J.T. Realmuto was able to grab it out of the air and toss it to Hoffman. After a close and physical play at the plate between two pitchers, it was controversially concluded that Freeland was out and not obstructed by Hoffman. The Phillies would go on to win game one 2-1 in the 10th after a sacrifice ground ball and a single by Christian Pache into right field. Game two was another forgettable performance by the Rockies’ offense. Although the Rocks were able to get every starter on base besides one, Phillies’ starter Ranger Suarez went on to throw a complete game shutout with 8 strikeouts, causing the Rockies to lose 0-5. Game three began being reminiscent of previous games where the offense couldn’t manage to score runs. They were down 1-7 going into the top of the 8th inning after a rough outing from Ryan Feltner until they started a very disciplined rally that was good for 5 runs. Sadly, both squads' bullpens were lights out afterward, ending game three with a score of 6-7.

Rockies Best Performer: Cal Quantrill 6 IP, 1 SO and 1 run allowed

Rockies Worst Performer: Nolan Jones 0-7, 2 SO

Mariners @ Rockies April 20th-21st Mariners win series 2-1 RD -14

The Rockies returned home to host Seattle, expecting to start game one on the 19th before the game was postponed due to weather. The game was moved back to the 21st, which prepared Rockies fans and players for a doubleheader and a full day of baseball. Game one was played on the 20th, where one of Seattle’s many elite starters, Luis Castillo, shut the Rockies down for another scoreless game that ended 0-7. During game two and the first game of the day’s doubleheader, Cal Quantrill was on the bump again facing off against George Kirby. Yet another pitcher's duel, where both starters didn’t allow an earned run. Both bullpens kept trucking through, as there wasn’t a run scored until the 10th inning! Though the game should’ve been walked off by Jacob Stallings, his home run wasn’t rewarded to him due to fan interference in left field. Thankfully, the top of the order got their bats on the ball in the bottom of the 10th inning, and the Rockies won on a walkoff hit by Ryan McMahon, 2-1. Game 3 was, unfortunately, a slugfest for Seattle. Peter Lambert started off on the bump for Colorado before Noah Davis came in for long relief. Both arms got roughed up pretty badly, despite not giving up any walks, both guys were giving up hard hit balls and leaving pitches either too far over the plate, or way off of it. Davis was experiencing some shoulder issues, which may have been a factor in his lack of command. Seattle would go on to win the second game of the day 10-2.

Rockies Best Performer: Cal Quantrill 4 SO in 6 scoreless innings

Rockies Worst Performer: Nolan Jones 0-11, 3 SO

Padres @ Rockies April 22nd-25th Rockies tie series 2-2 RD -1

After the Rockies faced and lost to a red-hot Dylan Cease in game one, the offense showed out to tie the series. While behind 1-4 in game two, Brendan Rodgers charged a grand slam to put the Rockies on top. Even though Ryan Feltner had another rough outing, the bullpen was able to stay scoreless for the remainder of the game and was highlighted by Jalen Beeks going 3 hitless innings. Game three started with Ty Blach on the bump and finished with Anthony Molina, who went 3 innings while only giving up a pair of baserunners. Elías Díaz was the standout in the low-scoring game, hitting 2-4 with a HR. This effort wouldn’t be enough, though, as the Padres took game three 5-2.  During this series, Brenton Doyle had really performed offensively and took advantage of the fact that he was getting bumped up in the lineup. Doyle was moved to the 2nd spot in the lineup for the final game of the series against San Diego, where he was a huge factor in pulling off the slim victory. Going 3-4 with a walk, stealing two bases, and coming across to score 3 times. The Rocks were down pretty bad going into the bottom of the 8th, but they would yet again rally in the late inning. Thanks to Hunter Goodman’s 448 ft three-run blast, Colorado was able to put up 6 runs to take the lead and make the score 10-9, which would be the final score of game four.

Rockies Best Performer: Brenton Doyle 7-15 .500 OBP, 2 SB, 5 runs and 2 2B

Rockies Worst Performer: Dakota Husdon 16.20 ERA, 6 runs, 6 hits, and 4 walks allowed in 3 IP

Mexico City Series Rockies vs. Astros April 27th-28th Astros sweep series 2-0 RD -14

Once the boys finished up their second 4 game series of the season, they hopped on a plane to Mexico City, where the altitude is even higher. Regrettably, the offense was lopsided toward the Astros in both games, putting up an average of 10 runs a game and a total of 6 home runs against Colorado. Both Quantrill and Gomber struggled in their starts, though Gomber managed to recover after giving up 3 HRs and was able to eat up 7 innings in his start to preserve the rest of the pitching staff. Game one would end 4-12, game two ending 2-8, landing the Rockies with a record of (7-21) with one last game to play in April.

Rockies Best Performer: Ryan McMahon 1.262 OPS, 2-6 with a walk and a HR

Rockies Worst Performer: Tyler Kinley 108.00 ERA, 0.1 IP, 6 baserunners allowed with a HR

The start of the season has obviously been lackluster for the Rox, whether it’s been the pitching, defense, or offense not showing up when it matters. The squad continues to lose guys like Nolan Jones and Kris Bryant to the IL, while Daniel Bard was added to the list of long-term IL pitchers that Colorado holds. A combination of this does not yield a playoff-contending team or an influx of new fans, but we’re getting to the point where the Rockies' high draft picks and highly touted prospects are making an impact in the minors and even the majors. Michael Toglia is putting up some good swings and giving baseball rides, Jordan Beck has taken an expedited trip up to the majors, and Ezequiel Tovar is now in his 2nd full season at the age of 21! Be sure to tune in to upcoming games to witness Jordan Beck’s first few MLB plate appearances because, quite frankly, the dude has yet to struggle with a wooden bat in his hands since Colorado drafted him out of Tennessee in 2022. Hopefully, he and our Rockies can capitalize in May and beyond.