The Colorado Rockies played their final road game of 2019 on Thursday, losing to the Giants 8-3. A year after going 44-38 on the road, the Rockies finish the season at 28-53, fourth worst in baseball.
No offense
The offense struggled all day, not managing their first hit until a Nolan Arenado single in the fourth. He came around to score on a Sam Hilliard triple, but he was stranded at third when Raimel Tapia grounded out. They pushed another run across in the fifth and loaded the bases, but Trevor Story flied to left for the fourth out. Despite managing at least one baserunner each of the next four innings, they were only able to get one more run (on a wild pitch from Fernando Abad).
The Wes Parsons and Bryan Shaw Project
The Rockies were down 4-3 when Wes Parsons took the mound to start the bottom of the eighth. Triple, strikeout, double, intentional walk and then Bryan Shaw was brought in. Walk, single, double-play and the score was 8-3 Giants. That eighth run came across after Alex Dickerson grounded out and then Aramis Garcia was thrown out trying to advance to third on the play. All three runners Parsons allowed to reach scored, but Shaw was instrumental in allowed two of those to score.
Freeland’s Final Turn
Kyle Freeland was limited to 45-pitches in his second start since returning from the IL. He was perfectly adequate, tossing three innings, allowing one run on three hits with a walk and no strikeouts.
While it might have been informative to see him throw a little bit more, after missing more than a month it was enough to get an idea of where he is. In those two starts he threw a total of 74 pitches over five innings, allowing six hits, one run, one walk, and one strikeout. Hopefully a flight to Driveline is scheduled for no later than October 1.
Up Next
The Rockies will conclude the season at home with a three game set against the Brewers on Friday (fireworks night!). Milwaukee has already sewn up a playoff spot but are only a game back of the Cardinals for the NL Central title. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 pm MT, with Zach Davies (10-7, 3.61 ERA) set to take on Antonio Senzatela (10-11, 6.90 ERA).