The Rockies will look to bounce back after yesterday’s extra-inning loss
The Colorado Rockies will likely want to quickly move on from last night’s extra-inning loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, especially after a thin bench led to a potential injury to No. 1 starter Kyle Freeland. A good chunk of the Rockies’ bench was out due to a stomach bug, so Freeland was used as a pinch runner. While trying to score the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the ninth inning, Freeland was tackled by old friend Jeff Hoffman, but it was determined that there was no obstruction of home plate and Freeland was called out. So far reports indicate that Freeland is “fine” but that will be a storyline to watch in the coming days.
To add insult to injury, the Rockies still have yet to win a series in 2024. Their 4-13 start is the worst start in franchise history through 17 games. They have also scored first just once through these first 17 games — on April 8 vs the Arizona Diamondbacks — and that snapped a 16-game streak dating to September 26, 2023 in which they hadn’t scored first. They have also been outscored 23-4 in first innings, and their opponents have scored in the first inning in 12 of 17 games. In general, they just can’t put things away. They are 1-7 in games decided by two or fewer runs, including 0-4 in one-run games.
Austin Gomber (0-0, 4.91 ERA) will take the ball for the Rockies. He has not received a decision yet, but the Rockies are 2-1 when he starts. In his last appearance against the D-Backs, Gomber allowed two runs on six hits over six innings. He left with a 3-2 lead, but the Rox lost 5-3. Gomber has faced the Phillies three times in his career — twice as a starter and once as a reliever. He is 0-1 with a 4.73 ERA. He has logged quality starts both times, but the Rockies lost both contests.
Gomber will face Phillies’ left-hander Ranger Suárez (2-0, 2.65 ERA). In his last outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Suárez tossed six scoreless innings while allowing two hits, two walks and eight strikeouts. It was his first scoreless start since tossing seven scoreless against the Diamondbacks on June 14, 2023. Suárez has faced the Rockies nine times in his career, and holds a 4-2 record and 3.63 ERA. His last start was May 13, 2023 in Denver where he pitched four innings and allowed three earned runs on seven hits with a walk and four strikeouts.
First Pitch: 4:40 p.m. MDT
TV: Rockies.tv
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)
Lineups:
Tonight’s lineup pic.twitter.com/95iRYpNdEK
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 16, 2024
Tuesday at The Bank#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/2VYddIrSeG
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 16, 2024