The Colorado Rockies arrived in Pittsburgh on Sunday just before the Penguins clinched their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship. Sadly, that championship aura has yet to rub off on the visiting MLB club with championship aspirations of their own. The NL-leading Rockies dropped their second game in a row on Monday, 7-2, in the first of a three-game series with the Pirates. Colorado stranded 10 baserunners in the game.
Just as it did in a loss to the Cubs on Monday, the first inning proved troublesome for a Rockies rookie. Kyle Freeland surrendered a leadoff walk followed by a Josh Harrison home run to fall behind 2-0 before he had even earned an out. (Antonio Senzatela allowed four before getting an out on Sunday.) Freeland would go on to allow another eight hits and three runs over his 5.2 innings pitched. It was the first time in four outings that Freeland did not last at least six innings. Rockies relievers didn’t fare much better. Scott Oberg gave up two runs on two hits, earning an out in the sixth and one in the seventh. Chris Rusin walked in one of Oberg’s runs and allowed another to score on sac fly. Colorado, the best fielding team in the National League, committed two errors in the game – one by Trevor Story and one by Freeland.
The Rockies managed 11 hits off five Pirates pitchers, but produced just two runs. They were 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Colorado hit into three double-plays, including the first of the season by Charlie Blackmon. Nolan Arenado had three hits and a stolen base, one of the few bright spots on the night.
Colorado maintains a slim lead in the National League West after dropping two games in a row. The two teams behind them, Los Angeles and Arizona each had the night off. Colorado continues the series with Pittsburgh on Tuesday with Tyler Chatwood (6-7, 4.37) on the mound. They have a chance to square the series against Gerrit Cole (3-6, 4.83). Colorado has not lost a series on the road this season.
