In the final game at home this season, the Colorado Rockies finished on a high note as they defeated the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 to win the series. Thanks to a quality start and a timely home run, the Rockies take two of three as they prepare for their final six games of the season.
Freeland looking fresh
Making his final start at Coors Field this season, Kyle Freeland made sure to take care of his home. Things looked dicey out of the gate after Mike Trout led the game off with a double. He would later come in to score on a one-out
single from Jo Adell to give the Angels an early 1-0 lead. However, after surrendering a subsequent single to Nolan Schanuel, Freeland went to work and escaped the inning without any further damage.
Freeland settled in and continued to mow down the Angels, even retiring 14 straight at one point. He worked six innings, allowing just one run on five hits with seven strikeouts and one walk. He ended up firing a first-pitch strike to 19 of the 23 batters he faced.
The fastball was working to help set up his slider as he ended up throwing 85 pitches, 61 for strikes. He ran into a little bit of traffic in the sixth, but a nifty double play ball helped him escape the jam and effectively ending his afternoon. Freeland has now lowered his ERA back to 5.00 on the year with one more start to go.
Mr. Wizard
Speaking of that nifty defensive play in the sixth.
Logan O’Hoppe was at the plate with two runners on and bounced a ball deep in the hole to shortstop. Ezequiel Tovar fielded it and made a snap throw to second. It was a bit low, but Ryan Ritter handled it and in one fluid yet awkward motion, fired the ball to first where Blaine Crim made the scoop to end the inning.
The Crim Reaper strikes again
The Rockies weren’t able to do much against Angels starter Caden Dana. The young righty delivered his longest start of the year, going six innings and allowing two runs on three hits with three walks and five strikeouts.
Colorado tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the second after Crim drew a walk and came in to score eventually on a Kyle Karros sacrifice fly. However, Dana carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning because the Rockies got their big hit.
On pitch above the letters, Crim got the bat to it to send it deep to right field for an opposite field home run. It was Crim’s fourth home run of the season, giving the Rockies a 2-1 lead.
Crim would help the Rockies extend their lead by one in the eighth. After Mickey Moniak and Tovar both reached to lead off the inning and moved up into scoring position, Crim stepped up to the plate. While he was able to crush another dinger, he did get a big chop to third that allowed he runner to score and give the Rockies a 3-1 lead. Crim now has 11 RBI in nine games with the Rockies.
The bullpen holds firm again
The slim lead was just enough, thanks to another strong day by the Rockies’ bullpen. Jimmy Herget cruised through the seventh with three strikeouts followed by a clean eighth from Juan Mejia.
Victor Vodnik stepped in to close the door in the ninth. He walked the leadoff hitter, but a groundball to Crim at first allowed him to quickly step on the bag and fire down to second base for the second out on a tag. After a two-out single, Vodnik then punched out Christian Moore to secure his 10th save of the year.
Up Next
The Rockies will head to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Seattle Mariners starting on Tuesday. First pitch is at 7:40 p.m. MDT for all three games of that series.
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