After getting trounced 9-0 by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the series opener, the Colorado Rockies looked to get back on track in Game 2.
And they did that in a close game that found the Rockies defeating the D-backs 3-2.
The offense got key hits (with a big thanks to Kyle Karros)
The Rockies (again) started off in the hole when Tomoyuki Sugano gave up a one-run homer to Corbin Carroll (17).
Two batters later, Ketel Marte (21) repeated his teammates’s feat and sent one over the right-field wall.
Those were the only runs Sugano allowed — though he did surrender
a triple to noted speedster Nolan Arenado — and the Rockies came out of the first inning with a 2-0 deficit. (For those keeping score at home, the Rockies have allowed more first-inning runs than any other team in MLB.)
As for the Rockies, they continued to struggle offensively and could not figure out D-backs lefty starter Mitch Bratt.
In the third inning, the Rockies finally had their first base runner when Jordan Beck smacked a double. Connor Norby followed that up with a walk in his first Rockies at-bat. However, the Rockies were unable to capitalize and headed into the bottom half of the third still down 2-0.
The offense took another run at getting on the board in the fourth inning. Cole Carrigg hit a double (14) with one out, but the Rockies were, again, unable to capitalize, and the score remained 2-0 D-backs.
The game dragged along until the sixth inning when Ezequiel Tovar got on base with a single. And then Kyle Karros stepped to the plate and slammed his 10th homer of the season, tying the game and got the Rockies on the board for the first time since an 8th-inning Hunter Goodman homer on Sunday in St. Louis.
The bottom half of the inning, however, found a swift change in Karros’ fortunes when he collided with Tovar while both were attempting to field the same ball. Karros took a blow from Tovar’s shoulder to his head before leaving the game with Willi Castro moving to third and TJ Rumfield entering the game to cover first.
One pitch later, however, Arenado hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning and keep the game tied at two.
Bratt left the game after the sixth inning. He allowed two runs (both earned) on four hits while walking one and striking out five. For the seventh, D-backs manager Torey Lovullo went to his bullpen.
With Kevin Ginkel entering the game in relief, Hunter Goodman kicked things off with a lead-off triple.
Mickey Moniak hit a fly ball to left field to score the run and give the Rockies a 3-2 lead.
The Rockies went to their bullpen in the seventh. Jimmy Herget allowed one hit, but the runner did not score, and the Rockies headed into the eighth with a one-run lead.
Brennan Bernadino handled the eighth inning.
The Rockies came into the ninth inning hoping to tack on another run (or two). Carrigg hit a single with one out and stole second base, his seventh steal of the season. With two outs, Castro walked, and designated hitter Mickey Moniak came to the plate. However, a fly ball to center ended the threat.
Closer Jordan Romano came in for the ninth looking to preserve a 3-2 Rockies lead. After getting Ketel Marte to pop out, Arenado hit a single. However, Romano finished the side to end the game and give the Rockies a win.
The Rockies finished the evening with three runs on six hits. They walked twice and struck out seven times.
“We kept grinding, just like we always do,” Schaeffer said of his team’s effort.
Schaeffer said that Karros is under concussion protocol. Additional updates will be provided tomorrow.
Stalwart Sugano (菅野 智之) kept the Rockies in the game (again)
It was a fairly typical Tomoyuki Sugano game.
He gave up two solo homers in the first inning (his 25th and 26th, respectively), and then settled in for the rest of the game. However, he battled against an elevated pitch count since he had already thrown 43 pitches by the end of the second inning.
Still, after allowing a hit in the third inning, Sugano retired nine consecutive batters.
He relied primarily on his splitter (24%), followed by his four-seamer (22%), and his sinker (20%). Once agin, Sugano’s extensive pitch mix coupled with elite control was enough to shut down a smoking-hot D-backs offense after the first inning.
Sugano’s final line was 6.0 IP with two runs (both earned) on six hits. He struck out five and did not issue a walk on 93 pitches.
“I thought the execution got better as the game went on,” Schaeffer said. “Tomo did what he does.”
It was another stellar Sugano outing that garnered him his 12th win of 2026.
The bullpen finished the job
After the sixth inning, Schaeffer turned the game over to the bullpen.
Jimmy Herget handled the seventh. He went 1.0 IP and gave up one hit, but no runs, walks, or strikeouts.
It was another sparkling eighth inning for Brennan Bernadino, who retired all three batters he faced on 13 pitches.
Jordan Romano earned the save by allowing one hit but no runs on 17 pitches.
Up next
The Rockies are now 47-73 while the Diamondbacks are 64-57.
Join us tomorrow for a Game 3 rubber match, which tees off at 1:40 pm.
Rockies starter Ryan Feltner will face Merrill Kelly.
See you then — at the snake farm.
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