DENVER — The Colorado Rockies and Oakland Athletics entered their weekend series at Coors Field as two of the hottest teams in baseball. The Rockies now have that title to themselves as they finished off a sweep with a 3-2 win over the A’s on Sunday.
“They were playing with a lot of confidence,” Rockies manager Bud Black said of the A’s. “But our guys I think every day come to the park expecting to win no matter who we play.”
Germán Márquez pitches a gem
Two solo home runs were the only damage against Marquez in this one as he went 7 2⁄3 innings.
“The key was definitely attacking the zone, just going after them, hitting my target, I didn’t want to waste any pitches,” Márquez said.
He entered the seventh with a low-pitch count, but it was clear that the A’s were starting to see him a little better. Manager Bud Black opted to stick with his starter, and Márquez rewarded him for that faith with a bit of help from his defense (more on that in a second). His final line is sparkling, with eight strikeouts and just one walk.
A sweet and crucial double play
With a different third baseman, it might have been a double down the line that tied up the game or at least set up a rally. With Nolan Arenado, it was the start of a huge inning-ending double play in the seventh inning of a one-run game. Pat Valaika gets nearly equal credit for picking a throw in the dirt and still making the turn.
Textbook. pic.twitter.com/7pIxTvjxhG
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 29, 2018
Arenado had another bare-handed play in the ninth inning of this game, because that’s what he does.
Welcome back, Ryan McMahon
Recalled for today’s game, McMahon delivered two doubles. The first put him on base for Tom Murphy’s two-run home run in the second inning, and the second drove in the decisive run in the third inning.
“Down in Triple-A, the whole team, we’ve been paying attention to what’s been going on up here, this team’s been playing awesome, so to come up here and help out a little bit it feels great,” McMahon said.
Your Coors meme isn’t welcome here
The Rockies just played a very competitive series against a very good team at Coors Field. They earned the sweep while scoring 10 total runs and allowing just four total runs. It’s almost like good pitching is good everywhere.
“It starts with the mindset that a lot of our starters have had of late,” Black said. “I think the thought process is strike one.”
Looking ahead
The Rockies head to St. Louis for a four-game series against the Cardinals that starts on Monday night. Tyler Anderson is scheduled to get the ball for the Rockies against St. Louis’ Carlos Martinez. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. Mountain time.