Colorado Rockies game no. 19 thread: MacKenzie Gore vs Chase Dollander

Rockies look to right the ship offensively at home

After inclement weather forced Friday’s game to a Sunday doubleheader, the Colorado Rockies (3-15) will kick off the series with the Washington Nationals (7-12) on a chilly Saturday afternoon.

The Rockies enter the game on the heels of a forgettable road trip where they went 0-6 and struggled to manufacture runs. While they did end things on a strong note against the Los Angeles Dodgers, we’ve seen that one offensive outbreak game hasn’t been enough to turn the tide for the Rockies.

Saturday marks the first time that former manager Clint Hurdle will suit up in a Rockies uniform since he was at the dugout helm in 2009. Replacing Hensley Meulens as the hitting coach, the hope is that Hurdle can help inspire the floundering young hitters on the team. Don’t expect immediate results, however, as it may take some time.

The Rockies will send out young right-hander Chase Dollander (1-1, 5.06 ERA) for his third career start and his second start at Coors Field. Dollander was quite brilliant in his last outing in San Diego, where he went 5 ²⁄₃ innings, giving up two runs on three hits with seven strikeouts. Two of the hits were home runs, which ties into an early observation that he’s getting tagged a bit by hitters. Of the 10 hits he’s surrendered, four have resulted in the long ball. Still, the strikeout stuff is working, and he has pitched at least five innings in each of his two starts thus far.

He’ll face off against another former top pitching prospect in MacKenzie Gore (1-2, 3.52 ERA). The left-hander is off to a strong start this season, having tossed six innings in all but one of his starts. His last outing came on April 13 against the Miami Marlins, in which he allowed four runs on eight hits in six innings of work. Gore has 32 strikeouts in the year, with just six walks.

It’s worth noting the Rockies made a few moves this morning. Ezequiel Tovar was placed on the injured list and Brenton Doyle was placed on the bereavement list. In their place, the Rockies selected the contract of Aaron Schunk and called up Jordan Beck again.

First Pitch: 2:10 MDT

TV: Rockies TV

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

Lineups:

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