The Colorado Rockies have been in a rut and it looked like their spiral would continue when the Texas Rangers jumped all over them and starter Chad Bettis for five runs in the first inning.
But the offense struck back with the biggest single inning of the season for Colorado, plating six runs on seven hits to take the lead back. Bettis rebounded for a remarkably gutsy performance and the bullpen showed some signs of turning a corner, securing a 9-5 victory in the first game of the series.
Ian Desmond got things started, jolting some life into the offense by blasting a solo shot to left, a no-doubter. Tom Murphy kept his hot bat going with a single to center. He was replaced at first base by Gerardo Parra after a fielder’s choice. It looked like the rally would be another promising one that fell short of its potential after Chris Iannetta’s flyball to deep left was caught on a nice play by Joey Gallo for the second out.
But Noel Cuevas kept the inning alive with a line drive up the middle and Parra came around to score a second run on a single to left from DJ LeMahieu. Charlie Blackmon followed with a seeing-eye single that bounced between the shortstop and third baseman to plate Cuevas and Nolan Arenado snapped the longest hitless streak of his career (0-for-19) by lining a double into the left-field corner that tied the game.
Texas-native Trevor Story then gave the Rockies the lead with his NL-leading 51st RBI on a single to left. And just like that, Colorado had taken a 6-5 lead.
The Rangers pounced all over Bettis in the first starting with a two-run home run from Jurrickson Profar, scoring Delino DeShields, who had walked. Adrian Beltre followed with a rare (for him) infield single on a swinging bunt and Rougned Odor walked in front of a single off the bat of Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
Odor was thrown out by Gerardo Parra at third on the play and it was a good thing for Bettis that he was since Joey Gallo smashed another home run deep over the wall in center to give Texas a commanding 5-0 lead.
The Rockies answered with their big second.
After all that scoring, things settled down for Bettis and Rangers reliever Matt Moore who was working a scoreless outing until Desmond got him for his second home run of the game.
Bettis came back out for the sixth—a minor miracle considering the way the game started for him—and gave up another tough-luck single to Beltre before striking out Odor and getting a forcing Kiner-Fields out at second. With his pitch count at 106, though, it was once again time for Bud Black to turn to his bullpen. And hope.
Harrison Musgrave entered the fray and picked up the final out of the sixth for Bettis. The Rockies’ starter allowed just two baserunners and did not allow any further scoring after the five-run first.
The Rockies added an insurance run in the seventh on a pair of doubles from Arenado and Story.
Musgrave stayed on for the seventh and provided a rare sight as of late—a 1-2-3 inning to bridge the gap to the back of the Rockies bullpen.
Adam Ottavino made his first appearance since returning from the DL just one day ago and got a quick groundout before showing a bit of rust with a walk and a hit batsman. But then Otto showed why his return was so anticipated and why he has been one of the best relievers in baseball this season by striking out back-t0-back hitters to strand both runners and preserve the three-run lead.
Arenado made the emergence from his slump complete in the ninth by smashing a solo homer for his third hit of the game.
It wasn’t a save situation but it had been eight days since closer Wade Davis had pitched in a ballgame so he was called upon for the ninth. He walked his first batter but got a beautiful double play from LeMahieu and Story before getting the final out on a pop up to Desmond at first.
Colorado improved to 34-35, 23-16 out on the road, and are 4.5 games out of first place in the NL West.
Final Stats:
Chad Bettis: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 6 K (4.65 ERA)
Harrison Musgrave: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 K (2.79 ERA)
Nolan Arenado: 3-for-4, 3 R, 3 RBI (40), HR (13)
Ian Desmond: 3-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI (39), 2 HR (14)
Trevor Story: 2-for-5, 2 RBI (52)
DJ LeMahieu: 2-for-5, 1 R, 1 RBI
Charlie Blackmon: 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI
What’s Next:
The Rockies prepare for two straight in the Texas sun starting on Saturday afternoon with the first pitch at 2:05 Mountain Time. Kyle Freeland faces Mike Minor in a battle of lefties.
