Colorado Rockies news and links for Friday, April 26, 2024
Thursday’s 10-9 comeback win against the Padres was a classic Coors Field shootout. The Rockies hit two homers and bumped up their offensive stalk.
Overall, the offense is still far behind where it needs to be. Colorado ranks 24th in homers (21), No. 22 in runs scored (100) and No. 20 in on-base percentage (.309) and is tied for fourth-most strikeouts (252).
Even in the high-altitude, friendly confines of Coors Field, the Rockies are tied for 14th in homers with 13 and runs scored with 54, 16th in OBP at .317 and have the sixth most strikeouts (126).
And no, it’s not because they have played more games on the road. They’ve played 13 at each, but they do have a higher winning percentage at home — .385 vs. .154 on the road.
Maybe the Rockies just need a change of scenery, one that comes with even thinner air and shorter outfield fences. Maybe the upcoming Mexico City Series is just what the Rockies need to get out of their slump and discover some power.
On Saturday and Sunday, Colorado will take on the Astros in a two-game series at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú, which sits at a towering 7,349 feet above sea level — 2,159 feet higher Coors Field’s playing field of 5,190 feet. The right-field fence at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú is 18 feet shallower than at Coors, while left field is 15 feet closer to home and center field is five feet shorter.
While there have been 13 regular season MLB games played in Mexico over the years, when the Padres and Giants played a two-game series in 2023, it was the first time in Mexico City. The Padres swept the series, outscoring the Giants 22-17 and the two teams combined for 15 homers in two games.
In a game of streaks and slumps, if a few Rockies can find their grove, get some confidence and show some firepower against the 7-18 Astros, it could help the team start moving in a better direction.
Another thing that could help is a change in atmosphere. When you have only won seven of 26 games, and haven’t won back-to-back games since Sept. 16, 2023, it has to wear on you. In a neutral site, even though the Rockies will play as the home team, it could give the players a chance to relax, embrace the culture that gave Colorado Vinny Castilla and Alan Trejo and have fun playing baseball.
“I am excited to play there. I feel like I have a lot of fans in Mexico, a lot of my family is going to be there so it’s going to be an exciting trip for sure,” Trejo said on the Rockies.tv broadcast of Thursday’s game against the Padres. “It’s going to be rowdy, a lot of music going on. The style of baseball that is played in Mexico is completely different than the style in the United States, so I don’t think that will change much because we are still playing the Houston Astros. Just the atmosphere. It’s going to be really loud, in your face. It’s going to be exciting.”
For fans in Mexico, there will be all sorts of festivities to celebrate the MLB weekend, including free player-curated tacos from three Rockies and three Astros.
Este fin de semana, MLB pone los tacos .
Las estrellas eligieron los ingredientes, tú los podrás probar completamente gratis.#MexicoCitySeries#YoAmoElBeis pic.twitter.com/6WXfD4Urq4— MLB México (@MLB_Mexico) April 22, 2024
For fans watching on TV, we’ll get to see the unique design of Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú, the home of the Mexican Baseball League’s Diablos Rojos. An aerial view of the roof design behind home plate loosely resembles the Diablos trident. From the field, it almost looks like a crown, while protecting fans from sun and possible rain.
Getting ready for the #MexicoCitySeries! pic.twitter.com/whATrkZ8ac
— MLB (@MLB) April 26, 2024
Sunday’s game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, the Rockies only ESPN game of the season (Colorado will be on ESPN+ twice: May 2 vs. the Marlins and May 9 vs. the Giants). Wouldn’t it be nice to put on a show for a bigger audience?
Two Mexico natives, Castilla, current special assistant to GM Bill Schmidt and former Blake Street Bomber, and Jorge De La Rosa, one of the best pitchers in Rockies history, will throw out first pitches on Sunday.
The Rockies did very well in their only other regular season game in Mexico, which happened to be the season opener against the Padres in 1999 in Monterrey. Castilla and Dante Bichette each went 4-for-5 with Dante driving in four runs, including a two-run homer in an 8-2 win.
Maybe for the first time in 40 games, the Rockies can win back-to-back games and continue to boost their production at the plate.
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Mexico City Series: What to know about this weekend’s matchup | MLB.com
If you are interested in diving deeper into the history of MLB’s games in Mexico, more details on the festivities and some comments from Nick Cave and Ryan McMahon, this is a fun read.
Noah Davis works to contribute despite roster uncertainty | Purple Row
Duane DaPron breaks down the action-packed three-day period where Noah Davis was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque, made his 2024 MLB debut, and was sent back down again. This has some great quotes from Davis about the mindset needed to navigate frequent roster changes.
Rockies, Tyler Danish Agree To Minor League Contract | MLB Trade Rumors
After one start with the Mexican Baseball League’s Olmecas de Tabasco, when former Major Leaguer Tyler Danish only gave up one run with four strikeouts and two walks in six innings, the Rockies signed him on Wednesday to a minor league deal. Getting the start on Thursday in Triple-A Albuquerque, Danish didn’t do so well, giving up nine runs in 3 1⁄3 innings.
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On the farm
Triple-A: Oklahoma City Baseball Club 21, Albuquerque Isotopes 9
Tyler Danish’s Isotope debut turned out to be a bummer as he surrendered nine runs on eight hits with six walks with one strikeout in 3 1⁄3 innings. Oklahoma City recorded 21 hits and only failed to score in two out of nine innings. Grant Lavigne and Willie MacIver both homered in two-hit nights, Hunter Stovall went 5-for-5 and scored two runs and Sam Hilliard went 3-for-5 with a walk and one run scored.
Double-A: Portland Sea Dogs 3, Hartford Yard Goats 2
The Sea Dogs posted five hits, including a two-run homer, in a three-run first inning against Carson Palmquist and Hartford couldn’t rally back on Thursday. Palmquist still posted a quality start, only giving up two more hits in the next five innings while totaling seven strikeouts. Yanquiel Fernandez and Braxton Fulford each hit RBI singles on a night when the Yard Goats were held to three hits.
High-A: Spokane Indians at Vancouver Canadians, postponed
Due to inclement weather, Thursday night’s game was postponed and will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Friday. Spokane’s social media team made the most of the situation with a classic Miss Congeniality throwback tweet.
.@WilliamShatner: Describe your perfect date.
Us: We’d have to say April 25th, because it’s not too hot and not too cold. All you need is a light jacket. pic.twitter.com/SbF2CnjIee
— Spokane Indians (@spokaneindians) April 25, 2024
Low-A: San Jose Giants 7, Fresno Grizzlies 0
The Grizzlies were held to five hits and struck out 10 times on the wrong side of a shutout on Thursday night. Austin Emener took the loss after giving up four runs on seven hits with one walk and six strikeouts. Fresno was hitless against San Jose starter Cale Lansville, who walked one and struck out five in four innings. The Grizzlies had their best chance to get something going when Darius Perry and Luis Mendez hit back-to-back singles to lead off the sixth, but couldn’t capitalize.
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