The Sim Rockies were looking to stop a three-game skid after being swept by the Brewers over the weekend. Unfortunately, that did not happen. The Sim White Sox took full advantage of Coors Field, launching four home runs off of Rockies pitchers. Leadoff man Leury García in particular had no mercy — accounting for six of the Sox 11 runs.
Off the Márq
Germán Márquez was looking to build upon his last start against the Giants, in which he pitched six solid innings of work. Unfortunately, this was not the night to do that. García began his Rockies feast by walking in his first plate appearance and subsequently stealing second base. Not a great start to this game. However, Márquez came back and struck out Yoán Moncada but then walked Tim Anderson. He was able to get out of the jam by striking out Eloy Jiménez and getting Edwin Encarnación to line to second.
The second inning was where most of the damage was done, though. A leadoff single, sacrifice fly, and back-to-back walks set up Leury García to hit a grand slam to straightaway center field to put the Sox up 4-0 early. Márquez was left in the game for the third inning, but was pulled after giving up a solo shot to Eloy Jiménez to lead off the inning. He did get Encarnación to ground out to second, but Sim Bud Black had seen enough after Mazara hit his eighth double of the year right afterwards. Márquez was pulled in favor of Jeff Hoffman after just 2 1⁄3 innings. He gave up six earned runs on four hits while walking four and striking out just two on 65 pitches.
Death by homers
The long ball was the Rockies downfall in this game. The White Sox hit four home runs — Leury García hit two multi-run homers, and Eloy Jiménez and Edwin Encarnación accounted for a solo shot apiece.
Besides the round trippers, Rockies pitching also gave up a lot of hard hits, either for outs or for doubles. Starting pitcher Michael Kopech even recorded his first major league hit — a double — in the fifth inning (which came around to score on García’s second homer of the night).
Walks will haunt
“Walks will haunt” was the case on both sides. After four walks off of starter Márquez, the Sox ended up walking back-to-back Rox in the third inning. That was the one inning that the Rox seemed to piece things together and Kopech began to look a little uneasy. Tony Wolters led off the inning with a base hit — the Rockies’ first of the night. Jeff Hoffman laid down a beautiful sacrifice bunt to knock him over, but then David Dahl flew out to center field. Charlie Blackmon got a base hit to put runners on the corners, and then back-to-back walks to Trevor Story and Nolan Arenado were able to bring Wolters home. It was the Rockies’ only score.
Game Video
If you wish to watch the game in its entirety, check out the feed here. Ben Kouchnerkavich does a wonderful job of calling the game, even if it wasn’t the result that Rockies’ fans wanted.
Up Next
The Rox and Sox will go head-to-head for a second game. Antonio Senzatela will go against the Sox French horn playing ace Lucas Giolito. First pitch is at 1:15pm MT!