Tuesday marked the return of the night game at Coors Field, albeit one between two sides comprised entirely of Colorado Rockies’ players, as Nolan Arenado’s Team Purple defeated Trevor Story’s Team Pinstripe, 7-2.
Hand selected by team captains Arenado and Story, the two stars picked their squad of teammates and even set the lineup. Arenado sandwiched himself between Matt Kemp and cousin Josh Fuentes while Story batted second with lefties Daniel Murphy and Ryan McMahon following behind.
Jon Gray and Kyle Freeland faced off as the starting pitchers with three relievers backing up each during the six-inning affair.
Freeland walked Kemp and Arenado with two outs in the first before Fuentes laced a two-run triple that staked the Purple to a lead in which they would not look back.
Turning Point: Drew Butera
With his side ahead 3-1, the 36-year-old backstop launched a three-run home run against Yency Almonte to boost Arenado’s team in the third inning. Much like in the first inning when Freeland retired Garrett Hampson and Sam Hilliard, Kemp came to the plate with two outs. Three consecutive singles put runners on the corner to set the stage for Butera to put the game out of reach.
Defensive Moment: Eric Stamets
Five web gems decorated this abbreviated ballgame, including a great diving stop by Daniel Murphy at first base, excellent leather from second baseman Ryan McMahon, a typical Arenado backhand that could have made the career of any other third baseman in the game, and a game-ending double play started by shortstop Alan Trejo.
The play that takes the cake is the one made by Eric Stamets at the most crucial time for his club. Though it did not impact the outcome of the game, Stamets robbed Story of an infield single thanks to the shift. Had the ball reached its natural place on the grass in right field, another run would have scored and the inning would have been kept alive.
Player of the Game: Josh Fuentes
It seemed apt for Arenado to have selected Fuentes for his squad and even batting fifth in a lineup stacked at the top. Though Hampson and Hilliard were unproductive for much of the game at the plate, Kemp and Arenado kept the two-out rallies going all night with Fuentes coming through in his first two at-bats. Even after his two-run triple in the first and one-run single in the third, he just missed going deep against Jesus Tinoco to start the sixth.
Diamond Details
- Gray looked on point throughout his three innings and 43 total pitches. He threw a first pitch strike to six of the 11 hitters he faced and gave up just one run on two singles while striking out four.
- Freeland struggled from the start by loading the count to three consecutive hitters in the opening frame. The triple to Fuentes not only put a sour taste in his mouth, but ended up costing him 26 of his 49 pitches on the night. He’d give up four earned runs during his 2.2 innings pitched with three hits surrendered, two walks and three strikeouts.
- Jake McGee walked Hilliard to start the fifth before inducing Kemp into a 4-6-3 double play. Arenado grounded out to third to complete the scoreless frame.
- Stamets, Tony Wolters and Raimel Tapia also added doubles on a night delayed by rain showers during warmups.
- Charlie Blackmon worked out at the stadium, but was not featured in either lineup on just his second day back in Rockies’ camp.
- The Rockies will continue to play intrasquad games until leaving for a week in Texas to play the Rangers in two exhibition games on July 21-22 before starting the regular season on July 24 for a three game set.

0 Comments (1 conversation)
ColoradoFanOxford
Patrick, thanks for the summary. You and Drew are best baseball coverage around! (Question: is Tracey R going to “sit out” covering this year…I love Cowboy).
Did anyone indicate if Freeland’s issue were release point or if the balls were coming primarily on certain pitches? And were the balls close misses or Uke’s “just a bit outside”? Also, if Fuentes in line to break as part of the core 26? Seems like the large number of utility infield guys (who can also play OF) put him on the outside looking in. Hoping for any undrafted guy to truly make it in bigs, even as regular backup.
Patrick Lyons
AuthorThat is an interesting question to which I do not know the answer. While I can’t speak for him, I do know that there is ultimately zero reason for any media member to be at the ballpark. In the past, it was critical for building relationships with not only the players, but the Rockies’ staff all around the stadium. Now, everyone is sequestered to a given area and communication with players/coaches is strictly through Zoom, even though we’re in the same building.
As for Freeland, I know he’s been working on keeping his back side over his legs more to create more drive to the plate. It’s one of the reasons why he’s removed the hanging flamingo leg from his windup. He also appeared to have moved towards the third base side of the rubber which could radically change some of the angles hitters have grown accustomed to seeing.
Personally, Fuentes was a lock to make the main 26-man roster coming out Spring Training. There was a limit to pitchers (13) which meant there would only be four bench spots for position players. With so many left-handed bats in the lineup already, it seemed logical he’d make the club after a solid spring. Plus, Rodgers was unavailable at this time, so it seemed even more critical to have McMahon playing a bulk of the time at second. Coupled with no universal DH in March, Murphy needed to stick at 1B.
It might sound crazy, but I didn’t think Hilliard would make the club back in March. The odds were against him from the start and his early play was lackluster at the plate. He simply needs to cut down on strikeouts. Also consider that he would have been a fourth outfielder, at best as Dahl and Blackmon would have started six days a week. Tapia has no options so the only logical choice would have been to start Hilliard at AAA in order to give him regular playing time.
Thanks for reaching out, Chris! Keep the comments and questions coming!!