Colorado Rockies game no. 71 thread: Austin Gomber vs. Grant Holmes

Can Gomber get the win on Father’s Day?

The Colorado Rockies have struggled mightily against the Atlanta Braves in their last two games. On Friday, they led 4-1 and ended up losing 12-5 after the bullpen coughed up 11 runs in the sixth (3), seventh (3) and eighth (5) innings. After being a strength for much of the season, the ‘pen has been hemorrhaging runs as of late.

But in yesterday’s 4-1 loss, the culprit was a season-high 19 strikeouts. That number is tied for the most by any team in a single game this season. Additionally, it is the first time in franchise history that the Rockies struck out at least 19 times in a nine-inning game and the first time they struck out at least 19 times in any game since their 14-inning, 21-strikeout affair against the Chicago White Sox on June 30, 2024. The strikeouts have also been getting better as of late, so hopefully the ship can be steered back around.

Left-hander Austin Gomber will make his season debut after being reinstated off the 60-day IL this morning. Gomber was placed on the 15-day IL with a sore left shoulder back in March, and was transferred to the 60-day on April 19. In three rehab outings (one with Double-A Hartford and two with Triple-A Albuquerque), Gomber posted a 2.25 ERA with five walks and 13 strikeouts. In his last outing with the Isotopes, Gomber allowed one run on one hit over four innings with three walks and five strikeouts. In seven career games against the Braves (four starts), he has gone 2-1 with a 5.32 ERA.

Gomber will face Braves’ right-hander Grant Holmes (3-5, 4.07 ERA), who is making his 14th appearance (13th start) of the year. He made his MLB debut one year ago on June 16, 2024. In his last outing against the Milwaukee Brewers, the 29-year-old threw 5 ¹⁄₃ innings and allowed three runs (two homers) on five hits with nine strikeouts and three walks in the 4-1 loss. Holmes pitched against the Rockies at Coors Field last August, allowing five runs (one homer) on six hits with eight strikeouts and three walks. The Rockies won that game 6-5.

Can the Rockies avoid another sweep on Father’s Day?

First Pitch: 11:35 am MDT

TV: Rockies TV

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

Lineups: