Game Rundown
The Rockies got the scoring started in the first on a pair of sacrifices from Trevor Story and Nolan Arenado, both of whom would factor in the scoring again throughout the game. Arenado hit his third home run of the season in the third frame and also doubled home a run in the fourth. Story was robbed by the new outfield fencing at Coors Field on two occasions. What could have been home runs eight and nine turned into triples one and two. Story scored on both occasions so ultimately, it didn’t hurt his team.
Carlos Gonzalez pushed his season average up to .394 with a 3-for-5 performance. The Rockies star outfielder clearly looks locked in early in 2016. Stay tuned to BSN Denver for more from CarGo and his manager on the hot start.
Starting pitcher Jordan Lyles looked alright early but just couldn’t finish innings and had to depart after just 4 and 2/3 innings pitched. He allowed five earned runs on six hits while walking two and striking out only one. The Giants piled on in the fifth inning for three runs before Lyles was removed and bailed out by Chris Rusin who was terrific in his 2.1 innings out of the bullpen. Rusin did not allow a base-runner. He struck out three.
Miguel Castro entered the game in the eighth and was cruising right along until Brandon Belt got ahold of an inside fastball and drove it over the right-field fence to bring the Giants within one. It was the second blast of the season for Belt and only the second hit Castro has given up in 2016.
Jake McGee worked around a walk to close things out in the ninth.
Turning Point
Just when it seemed like this might be the prototypical Rockies game, the purplers rallied for three more in the bottom of the inning. Again after base-hits from Charlie Blackmon and Story, Arenado smashed his second home run of the night, a no-doubt shot that landed somewhere in Greely. Rather than disappear after a promising start — a scenario Rockies fans have become all too familiar with — the offense was a threat all game, backing up a pitching staff that clearly needs help. Arenado drove in seven in the game.
Highlights
Y así se fue el tercer jonrón de Nolan Arenado en el 2016. #LosRockies https://t.co/VGLIdZKYpU
— LosRockies (@LosRockies) April 14, 2016
Quote of the Game
“Oh yeah. The Bridich Barrier.” -Trevor Story on the new fences at Coors Field turning two potential home runs into triples.
Lasting Impact
For the first time this season, the Rockies proved to themselves that they could work through some poor pitching and still come out on top. That is something the team is likely going to need to do if they are going to surprise anyone with their win total.
What’s Next
The Rockies will face the Giants again tomorrow afternoon at 1:10 MST. Jorge De La Rosa (and not the originally announced Christian Bergman) will take the hill for the Rockies against Matt Cain for the Giants.
