After over an hour of a weather delay, the Rockies and Giants took the field for the third time in less than 48 hours to decide who’d take this early May series. The Rockies found themselves down early but then the flood gates opened against Giants starter Logan Webb in a fourth inning that saw the Rockies once again score six runs. The win gives the Rockies their first series win against the Giants and just their fourth overall series win this season.
Crawford strikes again
As I mentioned, the Giants took an early two run lead in the second inning. An Evan Longoria single was followed up by a two run home run from Brandon Crawford. Crawford, who’s not known for his offense, has been a notorious Rockies killer with a career total of now 22 home runs and 105 RBIs over ten years against the Rockies. That’s by far the most in both categories against any team he’s faced.
Six runs, one inning... again
For the second consecutive game, the Rockies unloaded six runs on the Giants in one inning. On Saturday, it was for the comeback rally in the seventh, today it was in the fourth to give the team a commanding 6-2 lead.
Garrett Hampson got the party started by singling to left field. That was followed by a Trevor Story single, Ryan McMahon walk and then another big Charlie Blackmon hit, this time just a single but it drove in the team’s first two runs. Matt Adams then battled Logan Webb for another walk to load the bases for Dom Nuñez who struck out. But the youngster Alan Trejo had a great at-bat with a walk to give his team the lead and get Logan Webb out of the game. Then Jon Gray decided to help his own cause with an RBI bloop to center field and finally the red hot Raimel Tapia singled to bring two more runs in. Lots of singles and walks, nice to see the Rockies playing some clutch and smart small ball.
Scoring six runs in one inning is a good way to win games. It is my expert recommendation that the Rockies should do it every inning. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.
Something about 6-run frames.... pic.twitter.com/NTchb0Y4xd
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) May 5, 2021
Gray’s fourth quality start, fourth W
Jon Gray had another quality start with only two runs and four hits given up in six total innings of work. He began the game by striking out batters on five of his first six outs. He finished the game with a season high eight total strikeouts. Gray seemed to be in complete control of his pitches and was able to work without any added stress as only one Giants runner was able to reach second base (besides the Crawford home run) and that was because of a Tapia fielding error.
Gray’s ERA is now at 3.12 with a WHIP of 1.17 and an opposing batting average of .209 against him. All of those are unsurprisingly team highs as Gray has by far been the most consistent Rockies pitcher. His solid season thus far, could set up a for an excellent return if the Rockies were to decide to trade the veteran’s expiring deal near the deadline.
Bard’s struggles continue, nearly blows save
Daniel Bard had not pitched well in his last three outings before today, giving up a combined six runs in just 2 1⁄3 innings. He nearly blew today’s save by walking his first two batters and having one score on a bad throw from Dom Nuñez on a gutsy two out double steal in the ninth. He ultimately got his third save on the season when he was able to get Darin Ruf to groundout. Whew. Nothing easy for the 2021 Rockies.
Coming up next
The Rockies will have a day off on Thursday but will travel to St.Louis to face the Cardinals for a three game weekend series. Should be an interesting series as it’ll be the first time the Rockies will get to face old friend Nolan Arenado. Coincidentally, Austin Gomber (2-3, 5.90 ERA) is scheduled to start on Friday against Jack Flaherty (5-0, 3.41 ERA), setting up a few Gomber versus Arenado at-bats.