The Colorado Rockies hosted familiar faces Nolan Arenado and Garrett Hampson as the St. Louis Cardinals came to town. Fresh off their first home series win of the season, the Rockies were looking to do the same against a somewhat scuffling St. Louis squad trying to decide if they will be buyers or sellers at the deadline. Unfortunately, the Rockies gave up a ton of contact and ended up losing the series opener 6-2.
Gomber’s struggles continue
Left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber had his longest outing of the season at 5 2⁄3 innings
against his former team and the player he was obtained in exchange for. He also tallied a season high six strikeouts without issuing a walk. On paper that sounds like a pretty solid outing for the veteran lefty in the final year of his Rockies tenure.
Naturally, things can never be that simple. Gomber got absolutely battered by the Cardinals, giving up five earned runs on a whopping 11 hits—including a home run and two doubles. Nolan Arenado, Wilson Contreras, and Brendan Donovan all had two hits against Gomber, while all but one batter—Alec Burleson—had at least one hit. Gomber often looked visibly frustrated on the mound as the season continues to not go his way.
Increasing their value
After rookie Juan Mejia struggled in the seventh inning, only recording one out, Tyler Kinley entered the game with the bases loaded. Kinley worked a strikeout and a flyout to end the inning with just one run allowed on Mejia’s watch. Kinely then set the side down in order in the eighth with two more strikeouts.
Jake Bird took over in the top of the ninth. While he did give up a hit, he also recorded a strikeout in a much needed scoreless inning after struggling in recent appearances.
Both Bird and Kinley will potentially be sought-after trade pieces for any contending bullpen, and quality outings tonight might have helped boost some value for them.
Offense in limited supply
The Rockies found themselves on the board early with two runs scored in the third inning thanks to singles from Adael Amador, Mickey Moniak, and Hunter Goodman. However, the offense completely disappeared after that.
At one point, Cardinals spot-starter Michael McGreevy set down ten Rockies batters in a row before his night was done. The Cardinals bullpen allowed two baserunners in two innings with a hit and a walk, but also struck out four batters as the Rockies went down quietly for the loss.
Despite having nine total baserunners—eight via base hits—the Rockies only had runners in scoring position during six total at-bats. They were 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
On a positive note, the Rockies only struck out five times against Cardinals pitching. Brenton Doyle and Mickey Moniak both had 2-for-4 nights at the plate. A freshly recalled Adael Amador also had two hits in three at-bats, and scored one of the Rockies’ two runs.
Coming Up Next
The second game of three is tomorrow night with right-handed veteran Erick Fedde facing off against the equally right-handed Bradley Blalock. First pitch will be at 6:40 PM MDT.
More from purplerow.com:
- Thursday Rockpile: The Rockies and the quest for the “big hit”
- Wednesday Rockpile: What’s the plan with Orlando Arcia?
- Colorado Rockies minor league game thread: May 29th, 2025
- Friday Rockpile: Leadoff hitters are pivotal for Rockies wins
- Cubs 2, Rockies 1: Still a loss, but closer
- Weekly Pebble Report: Charlie Condon is focused on the present and looking towards the future (May 20th-May 26th)
- Colorado Rockies game no. 56 thread: Tanner Gordon vs. Matthew Boyd
