Tyler Matzek struggles with control, Colorado Rockies drop first game of doubleheader

The Rockies are finally getting to play baseball this week. After the first two games of the three game set with the Diamondbacks were rained out, the Rockies are playing a true double header at Coors Field.

Tyler Matzek was the scheduled starter for each of the first two games of the series and finally got his start this afternoon. It didn’t last long. Matzek struggled with his command throwing 38 balls to 20 strikes in his two innings pitched. Matzek recorded as many walks as he did outs with six giving the Diamondbacks and early 4-0 lead. The six walks tied his career high with his start on April 21st this season against the Padres at Coors Field. Weiss pulled Matzek in the top of the third inning in favor of Christian Bergman.

Matzek told us after the game “It’s extremely frustrating and disappointing. I let my team down. Especially on a day with a double header it sucks that we had to go to the bullpen that early.” Matzek added he “didn’t have a feel” for his fastball and thinks once he gets his command back, everything else will fall into place.

Matzek left his last start on April 27th in Arizona pre-maturely as well with a hamstring injury but Matzek said that wasn’t a factor at all. The Rockies ended up losing the first game of the double header 13-7, surrendering 18 hits to the Diamondbacks, utilizing seven pitchers.

Weiss used three pitchers in the top of the ninth inning, wanting to get work for both John Axford and Boone Logan. The plan was to split the workload between the two pitchers, but Weiss had to turn to Scott Oberg to get the final out in the top of the ninth.

Here’s Walt’s lineup for the second game.

[list type=”none”]
[li]9 Blackmon[/li]
[li]4 LeMahieu[/li]
[li]6 Tulowitzki[/li]
[li]5 Arenado[/li]
[li]3 Morneau[/li]
[li]2 McKenry[/li]
[li]8 Stubbs[/li]
[li]7 Ynoa[/li]
[li]1 Lyles[/li]
[/list]

Corey Dickerson was removed from game one after it appeared he tweaked his foot on a stand up triple in the 8th inning. Dickerson has been battling plantar fasciitis in his foot and has been trying to play through it. “That thing comes and goes, it’s something we’re dealing with.” Walt Weiss told us after the loss.

Carlos Gonzalez is also noticeably absent from the second game with Rafael Ynoa moving to the outfield playing in left. This will be Ynoa’s first career start in the outfield.

Colorado has called up LHP Chris Rusin to occupy the 26th roster spot allowed by today’s double header.

First pitch for game 2 is set at 5:15pm