Opening Day is just one day in the start of a long season. Everyone is watching, sure, and the pageantry is impressive, but there are 161 games to go. It’s best not to get hung up on the results of one game.
But if you’re going to play a game when everyone is watching and the pageantry is in full force, it’s nice to win those games. Especially when it involves a full team effort like in the Rockies 6-3 win over the Marlins on Thursday afternoon in Miami.
Kyle Freeland, guys
Kyle Freeland had a great season in 2018 and he was rewarded with the Opening Day start for the Rockies. He did not disappoint, retiring the first 11 batters he faced en route to a seven inning gem in which he allowed just two hits (one of which was a solo home run) with a walk and five strikeouts. Not a bad way to start a 2019 Cy Young campaign.
Young bats lead the way
The Rockies bats were mostly quiet through three innings, but then Marlins starter Jose Urena and the defense behind him got a little shaky. Nolan Arenado led off the top of the fourth with a double the other way, moved to third on a field error, and scored on David Dahl’s second hit of the day. Two batters later Ryan McMahon drove in two to make it 3-0 in what would be a four-run fourth. In the fifth, Trevor Story knocked the first Rockies home run of the season.
The Story continues...
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) March 28, 2019
Volume 4, Chapter 1 pic.twitter.com/tIgdVbQS57
Dahl then came up and got his third hit of the day and scored on an Ian Desmond double. It was 6-0 at that point and it was more than enough for Freeland.
Bullpen runs
It wasn’t all lollipops and candycanes today. The first pitch Scott Oberg threw in the 2019 season got sent over the right field wall by Neil Walker. In the ninth, Seunghwan Oh allowed a two-out solo home run to Jorge Alfaro to make it 6-3. So if we could offer some constructive criticism we’d suggest the bullpen not give up runs.
Up Next
The Rockies will try to create a winning streak Friday night. German Marquez will take the mound against the Marlins, who will start Trevor Richards. Game time is 5:10 pm MT.