Bullpen shines, Rockies come back in opener

The Colorado Rockies opened the 2017 season showcasing exactly what they wanted to see as an improvement from a year ago; a lights-out performance from the bullpen. The Milwaukee Brewers managed to get to Rockies starter Jon Gray in the fifth, but some clutch deliveries from the offense and bullpen led to a 7-5 win for the Rockies.

Mark Reynolds broke the scoreless tie in the top of the second with a two-run blast, scoring Nolan Arenado who was hit by a pitch.

In the bottom of the third, the Brewers suffered potentially a huge loss, at least for this opening series. Starting pitcher Junior Guerra had to leave the game after he pulled up lame on a sacrifice bunt attempt.

The Rockies got another pair of runs in the top of the fourth on an opposite-field single from Gerardo Parra and a fielder’s choice from Reynolds, his third RBI in the game. And just like that, Colorado led 4-0.

Jon Gray came cruising into the fifth inning with seven strikeouts and a shutout intact. But the inning quickly got away from him with a single, a walk, a single, and then two doubles which tied the game at 4-4 and chased Gray out of it. His fastball, which was topping out at 98 mph earlier in the game, sat at only around 95 mph in the inning, but that could be an indication of any numbers of things including fatigue, him being amped early, an attempt to aim, or — possibly — a reemergence of the toe issue that had him leave his last spring training start.

Jake Shapiro has more on Gray here.

The Brewers and Rockies traded mistakes in the top of the seventh. First, the boys in purple made the first out at home on a questionable decision from third base Stu Cole and some even more questionable base-rounding skills from Parra. This cost Reynolds his fourth RBI of the game on his second hit, a double that one-hopped the wall in left.

Reynolds moved to third on a Tony Wolters single and a pinch-hit walk from Stephen Cardullo loaded the bases. Charlie Blackmon worked a 2-0 count and struck the ball hard but right at the Brewers shortstop, Orlando Arcia. What looked like an for-sure inning-ending-double-play became a game-tying fielders choice when Villar lost the ball on the transfer. If that wasn’t odd enough, the Rockies took a 6-5 lead when a stolen base from Blackmon led to a dropped ball and Wolters scored from third. So the Rockies got two runs out of a bases-loaded-one-out situation without the benefit of a hit. Go figure.

The Rockies bullpen did exactly what the Rockies bullpen was designed — and specifically improved — to do.

Scott Oberg did allow the runner he inherited to score, but limited any further damage, replacing Gray in the fifth. Carlos Estevez, who spent some time last season as the closer, pitched a clean inning with one strikeout (98 mph fastball up) in the sixth with a little help from the first web gem of 2017; a jumping catch at the wall from Blackmon.

Mike Dunn walked a batter but did not allow a hit, striking out two in his Rockies debut.

Adam Ottavino showed more of the rust he displayed this spring, with inconsistent mechanics and wavering release point. He walked the first two batters and allowed a double steal, putting runners at second and third with no outs. But the Rockies former closer found his rhythm just in time and recovered to strike out the side without allowing a run, preserving the lead at 6-5.

The Rockies got an insurance run in the top of the ninth when pinch-hitter Alexi Amarista came up with a bloop double down the left-field line, scoring Wolters who singled and advanced on a throwing error from Villar. It was a tough day defensively for Villar who made almost as many mistakes as the Rockies did on the base paths.

The Purplers made three outs on the base paths which made the game closer than it might have been.

Greg Holland earned his first save as a Rockie in his debut in purple pinstripes, getting some help on Arenado’s first amazing play of the season; a diving stop that turned into a double play. The campaign for the fifth straight Gold Glove begins on day one.

Source: FanGraphs

All told, the Rockies bullpen didn’t give up a single earned run, though they need to bring those walks down. They got some help from poor play by the Brewers, but the Rockies used a bullpen that shined and an offense that delivered when it mattered most to secure their first win of 2017. 1-0. Baseball is back.