Who ya got — Germán Márquez or Ubaldo Jiménez?

On Tuesday, Rockies’ right-hander Germán Márquez took a no-hit bid through eight innings — the third-longest no-hit bid in franchise history. Márquez joins former ace Ubaldo Jiménez as the only two pitchers in Rockies history to have solo shutouts featuring one hit or less. Márquez threw his other one-hit shutout on April 14, 2019 in San Francisco, and Jiménez threw a no-hitter against in Atlanta on April 17, 2010. This particular effort also marked the third-longest no-hit bids both in franchise history and at Coors Field (more on that below).

So the question then becomes, which effort is more impressive? Jiménez’s no-hitter in 2010, or Márquez’s two complete-game one-hit shutouts in three years?

April 17, 2010: Ubaldo Jiménez no-hitter (at Atlanta)

Ubaldo Jiménez’s 2010 season was one for the ages, and still lives in the legends of Rockies lore. In 2010, the Rockies were coming off of their second Wild Card berth in three years and were looking to cement back-to-back postseason appearances. It was Jiménez’s third full season in the majors, and also his third start of the season after getting the Opening Day nod 17 days prior.

It wasn’t without drama, as Jiménez walked a batter in the bottom of the first to break up the perfect game. It was the first of six he would end up yielding, but none came around to score as the Rockies beat the Braves 4-0. Jiménez also threw 128 pitches that night, many of which were hovering in triple digits (he averaged 96.8 miles per hour on the night) — something unfathomable by today’s standards.

But nonetheless, Miguel Olivo earned his $1000 for predicting the no-hitter, and it still remains the only Rockies no-hitter to this day.

April 14, 2019: Germán Márquez’s one-hit shutout (at San Francisco)

While no other Rockies pitcher has thrown a no-hitter, Germán Márquez has thrown two complete-game one-hit shutouts — the only pitcher in franchise history to do so. His first attempt came on April 14, 2019 against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Ironically, it was also a 4-0 victory, like Jiménez before him.

Márquez took the no-hitter into the eighth inning before yielding a base hit to Evan Longoria, who at that time had reached base in 25 consecutive games against the Rockies. He also stuck out eight Giants that day, and didn’t walk a single one. The victory also snapped an eight-game losing streak, and gave the team their fourth victory in 16 games to start the 2019 season.

June 29, 2021: Germán Márquez’s one-hit shutout (vs. Pittsburgh)

In his second attempt to make history, Márquez took his no-hit bid through eight innings this time. This time he did yield a single walk, but he also struck out five Pirates. Even though it wasn’t historic in the no-hit sense, it was historic for many other reasons:

• First one-hit shutout by a Rockies pitcher at Coors Field in franchise history
• Third-longest no-hit bid in franchise history behind Ubaldo Jiménez’s no-hitter (April 17, 2010) and Kyle Freeland’s 8 ¹⁄₃-inning effort (July 9, 2017 vs. Chicago White Sox)
• Third-longest no-hit bid at Coors Field behind Freeland’s July 2017 effort and former Dodger Hideo Nomo’s no-hitter on Sept. 17, 1996
• Second pitcher in franchise history to face 28 or fewer batters in a complete-game, nine-inning shutout behind Josh Fogg’s effort against the Mariners on June 30, 2006
• Márquez threw just 92 pitches (a Maddux), the second complete-game shutout with fewer than 100 pitches in Coors Field history behind Aaron Cook’s 79-pitch Maddux on July 1, 2008 against the San Diego Padres

★ ★ ★

So far in 2021, there have been seven no-hitters thrown in Major League Baseball. Márquez indicated after his last start that he wants to throw one “next time.” But until that happens, which effort is more impressive — a single no-hitter or two complete-game one-hit shutouts in three years? Sound off in the comments below!

★ ★ ★

Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado returns to Coors Field to face Rockies, “a bit nervous” but with no regrets | Denver Post ($)

Nolan Arenado returned to Coors Field yesterday for the first time since he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on Feb. 1, 2021. It was a day that Rockies fans were torn about, and it sparked much debate about whether fans would cheer for the former face of the franchise or boo him. As it were, they ended up cheering for him:

Arenado felt the tension, too, telling the media before the game that he felt excited and a little nervous about being back in Denver, which he called his “third home.” Patrick Saunders details the press conference, including some comments about if former-GM Jeff Bridich had been sacked earlier (“I don’t know what the plan would have been, regardless. They could easily want to trade me still or I would have stayed. I don’t know how it would have really turned out.”), how weird it was coming from a team hotel on a team bus rather than walking like he used to, and his dinner with Trevor Story the night before.

Arenado went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in his return to Coors.

Colorado Rockies: Austin Gomber on Yadier Molina, relationship with catchers | Rox Pile

Austin Gomber was the centerpiece of the Arenado blockbuster back in February. After some initial jitters, the 27-year-old southpaw really started to settle into his place in the Rockies rotation before going down with a forearm injury on June 19. Since May 12, Gomber has not allowed more than two runs in a start.

Prior to coming to Colorado, Gomber spent six years in the Cardinals organization, making his MLB debut on July 24, 2018 at Cincinnati. He was lucky enough to play alongside future Hall of Famer Yadier Molina, who is in his 18th season in the league, and had nothing but glowing things to say about his former battery-mate. Kevin Henry chatted with Gomber about Molina’s effect on him personally and on the game of baseball as a whole.

On the farm

Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes 6, El Paso Chihuahuas 3

The Isotopes started off their series against the Padres affiliate with a win — something they haven’t done since the June 3-8 series against the Las Vegas Aviators (OAK). Recent Futures Game selectee Ryan Vilade (No. 3 PuRP) went 1-for-4 with three strikeouts in the effort. However, it was Sam Hilliard who put on a show in The Lab.

Hilliard went 3-for-3 with a double, a home run, four RBI, two runs scored, and a walk. He did not strike out once, and recorded 10 total bases. Connor Joe was the only other Isotope who recorded multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored, a walk, and a strikeout.

Double-A: Altoona Curve 15, Hartford Yard Goats 7

After yesterday’s contest was suspended in the second inning, the Yard Goats and Curve (PIT) completed the game as what would be part of a doubleheader, but the second game was postponed again due to continuing inclement weather in the area. In the game, the only inning that featured zeroes on the scoreboard was the second. Unfortunately, the Curve got the last laugh, doubling the Yard Goats’ score plus a run.

Jameson Hannah (No. 19 PuRP) went 1-for-5 with a strikeout. Willie MacIver (HM PuRP) continued his Double-A debut and went 0-for-3 with an RBI, a walk, and a strikeout. Infielder Coco Montes went 2-for-3 on the night. He hit his second homer of the year, his minor league-leading 23rd double, and scored four of Hartford’s seven runs. He also walked twice and struck out once.

High-A: Spokane Indians 6, Tri-City Dust Devils 1

Spokane started off hot, jumping off to a 3-0 lead after two innings. A wild pitch by Helcris Olivarez (No. 10 PuRP) allowed the only run to score in the sixth, and then the Indians scored three more in the sixth and seventh for good measure.

Olivarez had another fantastic outing, pitching six innings and allowing just the one earned run on three hits. However, he also walked three and struck out three. In the three starts since his nine- and seven-run disasters on June 13 and June 8, Olivarez has only allowed three runs on six hits over 16 innings. His walks are creeping up, though, as he has walked nine in those three games against 21 strikeouts.

On the offensive side, Brenton Doyle (No. 12 PuRP) hit his seventh home run in the sixth inning, while Aaron Schunk (No. 6 PuRP) knocked his eighth double. Doyle also had two RBI and his thirteenth stolen base.

Low-A: Fresno Grizzlies 4, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 2

While we’re on the topic of low-hitters, LHP Breiling Eusebio (HM PuRP) took a no-hitter into the eighth inning tonight before giving up back-to-back solo homers to end both the no-hitter and the shutout. Over his last three starts, Eusebio has allowed a total of 11 runs on 21 hits, including two homers in his last start.

Zac Veen (No. 2 PuRP) also hit his third home run of his young professional career, and his second in as many days. Ezequiel Tovar (No. 28 PuRP) went hitless for the second consecutive night, something he hasn’t done yet in 2021. And Grant Lavigne (No. 9 PuRP) led the Grizzlies with three hits in four at-bats, also hitting a home run. Mateo Gil rounds out Grizzlies who homered in the game.