After the Rockies hit solo home runs in both the eighth and ninth innings to send the game to extras against the Milwaukee Brewers, Trevor Story made it three innings in a row, walking off the Brewers with a solo home run leading off the bottom of the 10th:
This Story has a spoiler.
— MLB (@MLB) September 29, 2019
(MLB x @Supercuts) pic.twitter.com/jJqfLktyLC
Not only did Story’s homer prevent the Brewers from tying the Cardinals atop the NL Central, but it moved the Rockies into a tie with the Padres for fourth in the NL West.
Hill-yard
The Rockies were down 2-1 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth against Brewers closer Josh Hader when Bud Black called on Sam Hilliard to pinch hit, hoping he could tie the game with one swing of the bat. Well, Hilliard did just that:
SAM HILLYARD IS CLUTCH! pic.twitter.com/fDibQLxwBt
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) September 29, 2019
It was Hilliard’s seventh home run in just 72 at bats with the Rockies this year, and he’s making quite the case to make the Opening Day roster in 2020.
Highway robbery
With the Rockies down 2-0 in the seventh and Daniel Murphy on first, Garrett Hampson hit what looked like a game-tying home run to center. Lorenzo Cain, however, had other ideas:
OMG, LOCAIN. pic.twitter.com/AAb3OruoaN
— MLB (@MLB) September 29, 2019
That’s one of those where, even if it’s against the Rockies, you can’t even be mad, just impressed. Nice play, LoCain, I tip my cap to you.
Diehlin’
Lefty Phillip Diehl had his best outing in a Rockies uniform to date. Diehl entered the eighth inning of a 2-0 game and proceeded to strike out all three batters he faced. In his last five outings, Diehl has pitched 5 1⁄3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and a walk with five strikeouts. That’ll play.
Desi goes deep
An inning after Cain’s robbery of Hampson, Ian Desmond hit a ball to center that he couldn’t catch:
Can't rob that one.
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) September 29, 2019
2️⃣0️⃣ for 2️⃣0️⃣ pic.twitter.com/hiQzk60hOq
With the solo home run, Desmond became the 129th big leaguer to hit 20 home runs this year. Yes, that’s a record. Among those 129, Desmond is the fifth Rockie with 20-plus homers this season, along with Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story, Charlie Blackmon, and Ryan McMahon.
Looking ahead
The Rockies will close out their disappointing 2019 season tomorrow with Jeff Hoffman taking on a Brewers starter that is to be determined. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. Mountain time at Coors Field. A Rockies win paired with a Padres loss tomorrow would mean the Rockies avoid finishing last in the NL West.