Rockies offense regaining balance with forceful win in New York

The Colorado Rockies found the runs they were looking for. The force was with them in a galactic battle against the New York empire. Things looked bright and adventurous at first, got a bit dark in the middle bits, and the ending was a bit weird and not what anyone was expecting, but overall an epic win.

After putting up a big number in securing the series in Chicago, the Colorado Rockies took their awakened offense to the big apple for more of the same.

Preferring not to wait, Colorado used a five-run first inning to jump way out in front in an eventual 8-7 victory over the New York Mets.

What is especially intriguing, and has been a major topic of recent episodes of the BSN Rockies Podcast, is that the Rockies put up their eye-popping first inning without the benefit of a home run.

They came into the game first in the National League in home runs and first in MLB in road home runs but tied for last in batting average.

But it was a trio of singles from Charlie Blackmon, Gerardo Parra, and Nolan Arenado, a sac fly from Carlos Gonzalez, a ground ball double off the bat of Trevor Story, a bloop double from Ian Desmond, and a single up the middle from Daniel Castro that got the job done this time.

The Mets did strike out against German Marquez, getting a single then a two-run homer from Asdrubal Cabrera to get New York back in the game before they had even made an out. But Marquez settled down, got sharper with his pitches and would end up going six innings without allowing another run. He did not walk a batter and struck out a season-high eight.

The Rockies did decide to go ahead and show off the longball in the second, getting a solo shot from Blackmon. It was his 11th home run of the season, 10 have come out on the road.

They got another one in the sixth from an unlikely source; Tony Wolters. It was the light-hitting catcher’s first home run of the season and his teammates thusly gave him a bit of silent treatment when he returned to the dugout. It had been 316 at-bats since his last roundtripper.

Desmond delivered a line drive single in the seventh to score Arenado to give the Rockies an 8-2 lead.

Bryan Shaw replaced Marquez and gave up a hit and a walk but no runs.

Then Chris Rusin made his return from the DL and surrendered a two-run home run to Todd Frazier in the eighth. He worked through the rest of the inning without further incident.

Jake McGee came on in the ninth and gave up a double to Wilmer Flores who immediately scored on a single from Amed Rosario. With the lead down to three, manager Bud Black decided he wasn’t playing around with this one, and went to closer Wade Davis.

Davis got a quick pop out from Brandon Nimmo but got caught by Cabrara who went up to get a two-strike fastball to hit a triple off the wall in right, scoring Rosario and putting real pressure on the Rockies for the first time in the game.

Davis bounced back to strike out Yoenis Cespedes but walked Jay Bruce to bring the winning run to the plate in the form of Todd Frazier. Frazier singled on a line drive to left to make it a one-run game and put the tying run at third.

Just as it seemed this game was about to slip through the Rockies’ fingers, Davis struck out Michael Conforto to end it and allow fans to breathe a sigh of relief.

In the Rockies last nine games, their starting pitchers have posted an ERA of 1.82. In their last 18 innings, the Rockies offense has gone down in order twice.

Colorado improved to 18-15 on the season and 13-8 on the road.

Final Stats:

German Marquez: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K

Bryan Shaw: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Chris Ruin: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 1 BB

Jake McGee: 0 IP 2 H, 2 ER

Wade Davis: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K, S (12)

Charlie Blackmon: 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, HR (11)

Nolan Arenado: 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB

Gerardo Parra: 2-for-4, 1 R

Ian Desmond: 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 2B

Tony Wolters: 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, HR (1)

What’s Next:

Colorado aims to make it four wins in a row on Saturday night in the big city. Chad Bettis will face off against lefty Steven Matz. First pitch is at 5:10.