DENVER, Colo. – In the first game back in Denver in the 30th Anniversary of the club’s existence, a Colorado born pitcher started the game while another closed out the Rockies victory.

“For me, it was super great to see a bookend of Kyle (Freeland) and Pierce (Johnson) on Opening Day,” manager Bud Black said post-game. “And what this means to our fans and our team and our state is good stuff.”

To make matters even more profound, the 1-0 victory was only the 11th in Coors Field history and only the ninth the team has been on the winning side here in Denver. 

Kyle Freeland set the tone in his third career Home Opener start, most in franchise history. During 6.2 scoreless innings, he kept the aggressive bats of the Washington Nationals off balance and limited them to four hits while striking out five and walking two. 

Apr 6, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland (21) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The sellout crowd of 48,230 rose to their feet to give the native son a standing ovation.

“My tip of the cap was definitely just one of those things that I want to let the state of Colorado know that I love them and appreciate all the support,” Freeland said of the moment.

Combined with six scoreless innings against the Padres in San Diego in game two of the season, Freeland has 12.2 innings pitched and zero runs allowed, becoming the first pitcher in franchise history to toss at least six scoreless innings in each of his first two appearances of the season.

“I have to say, through the first two starts, this is probably the best start to the season I’ve ever had,” Freeland admitted. “It’s a long season though. A lot of starts to go.”

Johnson, a graduate of Faith Christian Academy in Arvada, recorded a one-two-three inning on nine pitches with two strikeouts for his second career save, all coming in his last three outings. 

Before the game, the pomp and circumstance was not lost on Johnson. There was a flyover conducted by the 140th Wing of the Colorado Air National Guard out of Buckley Space Force Base, not to mention the fireworks and the roar of the crowd as Rockies players, coaches and personnel were individually announced. Though Johnson had come to many games at Coors Field as a fan, he had yet to ever experience anything like Opening Day.

“My parents never let me skip school to come to a game. I hold it against them. I resent them for that,” Johnson joked about Opening Day.

His appearance in the ninth made him just the eighth Colorado-born player to pitch at Coors Field and his addition to the roster this offseason was by no accident.

“It’s kind of a formula that Schmidt has put together to bring Colorado guys back home and, so far, it’s been working out. Myself, (Lucas) Gilbreath, (Ty Blach) and now we got Pierce in the mix,” Freeland explained. “It’s great to see so him getting his first two saves right out of the gate. It’s awesome to see.”

Freeland also credited new left fielder Jurickson Profar with making a few great defensive plays. “Superman” was the word he used to describe the full-extension catch in the second inning off the bat of Luis García. In a one-run ballgame, stealing an extra-base hit — something he also did earlier in the game — can be a major difference-maker. 

“Like all teams, you got to make plays and Profar made them today,” Black said. “That was a critical part of today’s game that came at different moments.”

Apr 6, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Jurickson Profar (29) makes a catch at the wall for an out in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado eventually pushed a run across the plate when Ezequiel Tovar reached base on a double that was more or less lost in the light by RF Lane Thomas to begin the fifth inning. Kris Bryant singled to score Tovar for the only run of the game.

Bryant added a double in his previous at-bat to extend his hitting streak to seven games, tying a career-best mark to open a season. He’s now batting .357, tops on the team.

Apr 6, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Kris Bryant (23) celebrates with teammates after the game against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

“It’s important not to take for granted these games — Opening Days, home openers — just because you never know how long you’re gonna be able to do it,” he said of the ceremonial feelings in the ballpark on Thursday afternoon.

Diamond Details

• Bryant has reached base safely in 14-straight games dating back to July 24, 2022 at Milwaukee, hitting safely in 13 of 14 games across that span (.377, 20-for-53, 5 BB).
• Elehuris Montero had a career-high three hits, going 3-for-4 for his third multi-hit game of the season.
• Justin Lawrence tossed 1.1 scoreless innings with three hits allowed and one strikeout. He’s yet to allow a run in three appearances this season (3.1 IP).