What would a Rockies game be without some late-inning drama? The Rockies seemed poised to bounce back after their 1-5 road trip with a 5-2 victory. Unfortunately, the baseball gods had other plans. But they won the game, and that’s what counts right?
Happy birthday, Connor Joe!
Today is Connor Joe’s 29th birthday, the first he’s spent as a major leaguer, and he sure made the most of it. “JOE! JOE! JOE!” went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and an RBI. He also made this incredible catch in left field, taking away extra bases from Adam Frazier:
.@cojo__18 making this catch look like a piece of pic.twitter.com/ATT4WqaaEy
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) August 17, 2021
Since being recalled on July 20, Joe has gone 24-for-72 (.333) with three doubles, seven home runs, 19 RBI, five walks, and 14 strikeouts in 21 games. In a down season, he has definitely provided Rockies fans with some joy!
Scoring Parade
Not to be outdone, the Rockies put up a four spot in the third inning. Antonio Senzatela led things off with a strikeout, but then Joe and Brendan Rodgers hit back-to-back singles to reach. Trevor Story saids “hold my [drink of choice]” and hit a two-run double to put the team up 3-1. Then, Charlie Blackmon said, “no, hold my [drink of choice]” and hit a two-run homer. C.J. Cron and Ryan McMahon unfortunately rained on the scoring parade by both striking out swinging to end the inning.
BLACKM N. #LosRockies pic.twitter.com/UN2vJj0rCE
— Rockies de Colorado (@LosRockies) August 17, 2021
About that ninth...
The Rockies seemed to be cruising to a 5-2 home victory. Daniel Bard entered the ninth and gave up two quick singles to Jake Cronenworth and Austin Nola. With the two men on, he went on to record two quick outs — a strikeout of Eric Hosmer and a flyout by Wil Myers to right field. But as in any good (?) story, there has to be drama...and there was. Trent Grisham smacked a three-run homer to left to tie the game on a 2-1 count.
Luckily, all good stories also need a hero. And tonight that hero was C.J. Cron. After Blackmon lined out to center, Cron launched the first pitch he saw into right field to seal the victory:
GOOD OLD FASHIONED LODO MAGIC! pic.twitter.com/fvP7XNYwzk
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) August 17, 2021
This marked Cron’s 20th home run of the season, which leads the team, and his sixth in August. Not bad for the reigning NL Player of the Week!
Up Next
The Rox will continue their homestand against the Padres. Germán Márquez will start for the Boys on Blake against “TBD” for the Padres. Tune in tomorrow at 6:40pm MT to learn who “TBD” is!