The Guardians bullpen shut down Colorado to win the series
The Rockies struck out 10 times, were held to three hits, only managed to get one runner to second base and fell 5-0 in the series finale against Cleveland on Wednesday night. The game took exactly 120 minutes since Colorado’s bats were unable to get anything going and the loss marked the first time in Rockies history they were shut out by Cleveland.
The Rockies hit 80 losses, falling to 28-80, while Cleveland climbed back to .500 at 54-54.
Bullpen Day Baffles Rockies Bats
Coming into the game, Cleveland starter Kolby Allard hadn’t had more than three strikeouts in an outing this season. Even though most of his appearances have come in relief, this was his seventh of three innings or more. In a continued effort to boost the self-esteem of opposing pitchers, even ones like Allard who aren’t known for their strikeout abilities, the Rockies struck out five times and went down in order in the first three innings against Allard.
Tyler Freeman got the Rockies first hit, a single in the fourth inning, but was thrown out trying to steal second. Allard threw 3 1⁄3 scoreless innings with one hit and five strikeouts to help start Cleveland off strong.
Five more Cleveland relievers combined to throw 5 2⁄3 scoreless innings, only allowing two more hits — singles by Warming Bernabel and Orlando Arcia — and a walk to Hunter Goodman. They also combined for five strikeouts of their own, making it 10 on the day. Arcia, Goodman, Jordan Beck and Brenton Doyle all had two strikeouts apiece.
Freeland Battles Illness
Kyle Freeland didn’t look good on Wednesday. Not in terms of pitching performance, but he actually looked like he felt horrible. Every pitch looked like it took an enormous amount of energy, despite Freeland having an empty tank.
#Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland left the park before yesterday’s game feeling sick, but told me he would be OK for tonight if he rested. He’s laboring, down 2-0 against the #Guardians through two innings.
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) July 30, 2025
Outside of three hits in the first inning, including a two-run homer off the bat of David Fry, Freeland mustered up enough grit to make it through three innings by pitching three-up, three-down innings in the second and third.
In the second, he ran to first to try to cover when Warming Bernabel scooped up a grounder from Nolan Jones. He pulled up short and seemed hurt, resulting in a visit from interim manager Warren Schaeffer, pitching coach Darryl Scott and the Rockies training staff.
He was able to stay in, hit the 40-pitch mark and avoid an even earlier call to the bullpen, which was down an arm in the bullpen after trading Tyler Kinley earlier in the day. When he was pulled, MLB.com’s Thomas Harding cited the reason as “illness effects.”
Mejia Shines in Long Relief
Jaden Hill relieved Freeland in the fourth inning. Hill gave up two walks and a single, as well as a sac fly, which helped the Guardians take a 3-0 lead.
Juan Mejia got the call in the fifth inning and absolutely dominated Cleveland. In three innings, he retired the Guardians in order, not allowing a hit or a walk. He struck out four of the nine batters he faced. He needed just 32 pitches, 30 of which were 4-seam fastballs. That pitch produced eight swings-and-misses. When he got Austin Hedges to swing on a 96.3 mph 4-seam fastball to end the seventh, Mejia was pumped up, celebrating his fourth strikeout as he walked off the mound.
Through seven innings, Cleveland had recorded four hits. Victor Vodnik entered in the eighth inning and doubled that total, giving up four singles, which allowed the Guardians to extend their lead to 5-0.
Not that it mattered. If the Rockies can’t score, they can’t win.
Up Next
The Rockies have the day off Thursday, which also happens to be the trade deadline (6 p.m. ET). On Friday, Colorado will return home to begin a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Antonio Senzatela (4-14, 6.68 ERA) will go head-to-head against Andrew Heaney (5-9, 4.79 ERA).