Kyle Freeland struggled early and the Rockies couldn’t get much of anything going offensively as they lost to the Athletics by the score of 6-3.
Flashing the leather early
The Rockies had some dazzling defensive plays tonight, helping to keep the score from getting out of hand. Joshua Fuentes got things started in the first with a strong play on a grounder down the line. Yonathan Daza kept it going in the second inning as he tracked down a drive just before the wall in right-centerfield.
Raimel Tapia and Elías Díaz put an exclamation mark on the web gems cutting down a runner at the plate on a single to left field. Tapia threw an absolute missile of a strike to Díaz, who utilized a perfect deke and block of the plate as he applied the tag on Aramis Garcia.
Tapia's got an arm
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) June 6, 2021
Throw Distance: 238 ft
Speed: 93.9 MPH pic.twitter.com/kJBYeSNjLT
Kyle Freeland’s struggles continue
Kyle Freeland is still looking to find his 2018 and 2020 form, but did show some improvement tonight in comparison to his last two outings. He managed to go five innings and was just missing his location on some of his pitches, being punished with some very hard hit balls. He finished his outing with 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1K, and 2 HR allowed. Freeland looked like the athlete of a pitcher that he is, pouncing off the mound in an attempt to field multiple balls and battling through his struggles with command.
Jhoulys Chacín’s (almost) immaculate inning
Chacín was dealing as he struck out the side in 10 pitches in the sixth inning. He then retired the side in order in the seventh inning on 11 pitches. Chacín has struggled to find his old Rockies self, but looked great in his outing tonight as he kept Colorado within striking distance, keeping the score 5-1 in his two innings of work.
B-Rod big fly
Brendan Rodgers pinch hit for Jhoulys Chacín in the seventh and took the first pitch he saw high and deep to dead center and the ball traveled 419 feet for his first career home run. Rodgers has displayed quite a bit of power in his minor league career, but has struggled to show it for the big league club so far in his young career. Hopefully getting his first home run out of the way will loosen him up and allow him to get going now that he’s healthy.
Starting a petition to rename centerfield Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) June 6, 2021
419 ft for @Broddddd3's 1st career HR! pic.twitter.com/KexC4SWrQK
Up next
James Kaprielian and the A’s look to sweep Germán Márquez and the Rockies tomorrow afternoon at 1:10 MDT. The Rockies have yet to be swept at home and will look to continue that trend by salvaging game three of the series tomorrow.