The Rockies brought their hot bats with them on the road as they hit three home runs en route to a comfortable win in the opening game of a road series with the Giants. German Márquez returned for his first start after a brief stint in Triple-A and got the win. Home runs by Nolan Arenado, Ian Desmond, and Sam Hilliard carried the Rockies offense. Pablo Sandoval homered in the first inning for the Giants, who have now lost four straight games at home against the Rockies.
Tacos in Oracle Park
It doesn’t happen often, at least it hasn’t prior to the 2020 simulated season. The Rockies have now scored seven or more runs in three of their four games at Oracle Park this season, a notoriously pitcher-friendly park. The Rockies bounced back from a 3-0 deficit with a solo home run by Arenado and a second run later in the inning when Márquez helped himself out with an RBI bloop single. Two more runs came across in the fourth with RBI doubles by Hilliard and Ryan McMahon. They tacked on another two runs in the fifth on a two-run shot by Desmond. Hilliard then pitched in with a monster shot to right field in the sixth.
First inning jitters, then donuts
Márquez looked understandably nervous as he toed the rubber for the first time since being demoted to Triple-A. He struggled with command in the first inning walking the leadoff hitter and allowing hard contact to the tune of three runs including a two-run homer by Sandoval. He was able to settle in afterwards and pitched five solid innings allowing only the three runs in the opening frame and combining with the bullpen to shut out the Giants for the remaining eight innings of the game. His stuff wasn’t quite as effective as we’ve come to expect with only two strikeouts, but it was an encouraging performance. His final line on the day was 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 2 K. Jeff Hoffman, Carlos Estévez, and Tim Collins formed the bullpen trio that shut out the Giants for the final four innings of the game.
Game Video
Up Next
The Sim Rockies take on the Sim Giants again for Game 2 of the series tomorrow. There will be no broadcast, but we will have the recap tomorrow for you right here on Purple Row!