Rockies 6, Mariners 3: Colorado holds on after five-run first inning

The Colorado Rockies exploded out of the gate in the first inning and held on to split this interdivisional series against the Seattle Mariners. Rockies hitters were able to take advantage of an inexperienced opener to score five runs in the first inning.

The win gives the Rockies their second victory of the five game home stand. Their home record now stands at 33-20, just behind the NL best 33-19 home record of the Padres. Overall they improve to 42-54, which if the season ended right now, would give them the eighth pick in next year’s draft. That’s the same position the Rockies drafted at just over a week ago.

A great way to kick off a ballgame

In yesterday’s game, the Rockies lacked that one big inning where the hits keep coming. Today, the Rockies started the game with the offense rolling on all cylinders to a five nothing lead in the opening inning. Raimel Tapia seemed happy to be back in the lineup as he leadoff the game with a single and a stolen base. Charlie Blackmon stayed hot with an RBI single to bring him home. Trevor Story and Ryan McMahon kept it going with singles of their own to load the bases. C.J. Cron worked the opener Keynan Middleton to the always great to see RBI walk. But the big hit of the inning was undoubtedly Dom Nuñez’s two out bases clearing double to give the Rockies a cushy lead. It’s Nuñez’s twelfth extra base hit of the season.

Gomber’s return

Austin Gomber made his return from the IL today. Overall, he pitched well over six innings with just three hits allowed, unfortunately however, all were for home runs. It’s the most home runs Gomber has given up in any appearance of his career. The hot temperatures in Denver clearly had an effect. He’ll look to limit the long balls and keep it going in the much more pitcher friendly ballparks in California.

Mariners rookie McCaughan holds Rockies hitless for five innings

After that explosion of offense in the first inning, Rockies hitters were stifled by rookie pitcher Darren McCaughan who was making his MLB debut. McCaughan held the Rockies hitless for five innings with only three hitters able to get a walk. The next reliever to come in, Erik Swanson, nearly made it six straight hitless innings before Brendan Rodgers was able to line one to deep right field for his second triple of the year.

Up next

The Rockies will take a day off tomorrow before traveling to California to begin a three game series against the Dodgers. It’s a tough team to play and on the year the Rockies are 2-8 against the Dodgers. Chi Chi González will make the start on Friday. First pitch is set for 8:10 P.M. MDT.