In the series opening on Monday night, the Colorado Rockies managed to outlast the Houston Astros after a big fifth inning. Tonight in Game 2, they picked up where they left off, defeating the Astros 5-1.
It was a night of stellar pitching from starter Kyle Freeland and tonight’s closer Antonio Senzatela as well as consistent, timely hitting from Willi Castro and T.J. Rumfield with another Mickey Moniak home run.
The hits keep coming!
The Astros got on the board first with a Christian “Rockies Killer” Walker home run in
the second inning. This is his fourth off Freeland and his 15th at Coors Field.
The Astros finished their half of the second with a 1-0 lead.
They would not score again.
But the Rockies would answer back in their half of the inning when Castro hit an RBI single to score Troy Johnston.
Various hits and outs were exchanged in the third inning. Then in the fourth, Castro put the Rockies ahead with a two-run homer.
”Willi’s one of the biggest parts of what we’re trying to do out there,“ manager Warren Schaeffer said, highlighting the veteran’s versatility.
(Willi, if you’re reading, you look great in that purple coat!)
In the seventh, Monika hit his second home run of 2026, giving the Rockies a 5-1 lead.
(Mickey, if you’re reading, you also look great in that purple coat.)
Castro finished the night 3-for-4 with three hits and three RBI.
Meanwhile, don’t overlook Rumfield who continues to be a consistent offensive contributor and also went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run.
The Rockies finished the evening with five runs on 10 hits with two walks and — are you sitting down? — just four (four!) strikeouts.
“This is a different team, a new team,” Schaeffer said. “We feel like we’re playing good baseball.”
Kyle Freeland deals
If you’re into commemorating anniversaries, nine years ago today, Freeland made his MLB debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers (6 IP, 1 ER, 6 K) — and tonight he was ready to celebrate in style.
Freeland went 6.1 innings on 81 pitches. He gave up one run on three hits, walked one, and struck out five. He did this on 10 ground-ball outs and a powerful pitch mix. Currently, he has a 2.30 ERA.
“He attacked the strike zone and was really efficient,” Schaeffer said after the game.
Freeland received a well-earned standing ovation when leaving the field.
Do pitchers get to wear the purple coat?
Because Kyle Freeland should absolutely get to wear it tonight.
Senzatela finishes the job
Schaeffer turned the game over to the bullpen in the seventh with Senzatela taking the mound.
He threw two pitches and got two outs, and he did not slow down.
In securing his first career save, Senzatela went 2.2 IP, giving up 0 hits and 0 walks while striking out three.
Schaeffer noted that Senzatela has made significant adjuments, which can be challenging for a veteran, “but he just looks like a different guy.”
It’s not hyperbole to say that he is unrecognizable from his 2025 pitching self.
Tune in tomorrow for Game 3 when Cristian Javier will take on Michael Lorenzen for the Rockies. See you at 1:10 pm.
Oh, and bring your brooms!
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