Colorado Rockies game no. 117 thread: Kyle Freeland vs Sammy Long

A ninth inning rally against erstwhile Rockie Jake McGee fell just short on Friday night, with the Colorado Rockies losing 5-4 to the MLB-leading San Francisco Giants. However, the signs of life from the offense late in the game were encouraging. The Rockies can stave off a series loss with a victory today, and they’ll rely on Connor Joe, CJ Cron, and the pitching staff to do it.

Starting for the Rockies is Kyle Freeland, making his third start in the month of August and looking to recapture the magic he showed off in July. Freeland is 0-4 on the road thanks largely due to a lack of run support, and his last two road starts were sterling, especially a seven-inning, one run effort against the Dodgers. He’ll need to fight off a strong offensive Giants team and ideally go for at least six innings with a taxed bullpen.

On the bump for the Giants is rookie lefty Sammy Long, who is facing the Rockies for the first time in his career. Long has an ERA of 5.81 on the season so far through three starts and seven total appearances. The former 18th-round pick throws a mid-90s four seam fastball with a low spin rate, and an arsenal of downwards breaking pitchers with a curveball, changeup, slider, and sinker. He’s averaging more than a strikeout an inning with 27 through 26 ¹⁄₃, so the Rockies will need to choose pitches wisely and control the strike zone.

First Pitch: 7:05 PM MDT

TV: AT&T Sports Net Rocky Mountain; MLB.tv

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)

Lineups: