The Rockies barely held on to their lead against the Rangers on Saturday to earn their first win of the season, 3-2. Although the Rockies’ offense has been off to a slow start, Colorado found alternative ways to make scoring plays. That being — taking advantage of any and all errors made by the Rangers. But, a win is a win, and we’ll gladly take this one.
Slowly, but surely…
Aside from Dahl, who is off to a hot start, the rest of the Rockies’ offense is showing up little-by-little. Dahl recorded another RBI to bring in Garrett Hampson, but the other runs were earned, largely in part, from the Rangers’ mishaps on the field. In the fourth inning, a fielder’s choice by starting pitcher Mike Minor ended up getting no outs on the play with Charlie Blackmon called safe at first, while Nolan Arenado moved to third base on a throwing error by second baseman Rougned Odor. Both players came around to score, Arenado on an RBI single from Matt Kemp, and Blackmon scored on a wild throw to home plate by Minor. The Rangers walked away with two errors from the inning, and the Rockies walked away with a two-run lead.
Web gems
If there’s one team that can make incredible defensive plays look easy and routine on a daily basis, it’s the Colorado Rockies. Today, one of those plays belonged to Garret Hampson. Hampson made a leaping grab at the wall to rob Shin-Soo Choo of a home run and received a well-deserved applaud from Gray.
gAIRett hampson, everybody pic.twitter.com/5cQNjp1Eib
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 25, 2020
Story has been wowing us at shortstop since his debut in 2016, and he continues to do so. After Gray walked Elvis Andrus in the bottom of the fourth, Story caught Andrus attempting to steal second with a spot-on throw from catcher Drew Butera. Texas had the play reviewed, in which the call remained ‘out’ by the umpires in New York.
Gray Wolf
Gray was looking sharp through the first three innings, but he quickly fell apart in the fifth after giving up two singles and a walk that led to one earned run. Ultimately, Bud Black decided to turn to the bullpen for the remainder of the game. All paid off, and the relievers came through. Daniel Bard made his first Major League appearance in seven years and got out of the fifth inning without any further damage. Carlos Estévez and Jairo Díaz each allowed traffic on the bases but managed to get out of a jam. And after a nerve-racking, one run ninth inning, Wade Davis closed it out.
Up Next
The Rockies and Rangers finish their series at Globe Life Park on Sunday afternoon. On the hill for the rubber match is Kyle Freeland, and Corey Kubler is scheduled to start for the Rangers.