Rockies 4, Giants 3: Breaking streaks

RyMac homers as the Rox snap two losing streaks

It only took a month’s worth of games but the Colorado Rockies (6-25) have finally won back-to-back games this season, the last MLB team to do so, as they took down the San Francisco Giants 4-3 in a comeback victory.

The victory was notable in the fact that it snapped a 13-game losing streak on the road for the Rockies, but it was a rare win on the road in San Francisco as they snapped a 12-game losing streak. It was the first time since July 7, 2023, that they carried a lead late in the game and actually held it.

Additionally, the Rockies became the lowest win percentage team (.194) with consecutive wins against former Cy Young winners.

Kyle Freeland went toe-to-toe with future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander as the bats rallied late and the bullpen locked it down to kick of May with a W.

Quality Freeland

As Freeland took the mound on he was making history as it marked his 207th career start for the Rockies, the most in franchise history.

While it would have been nice for Freeland to throw seven scoreless to mark the occasion, he still delivered a gritty start in a duel with Justin Verlander. After surrendering a lead-off home run to Heliot Ramos in the bottom of the first inning, Freeland locked it down over six innings.

The other two runs for the Giants came in the bottom of the sixth after Willy Adames singled and came around to score on a Wilmer Flores double. Flores then came around to score on a Mike Yastrzemski double to make it a 3-1 game. Freeland finished his night after six, giving up three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

McMahon finally got a hit

It took 36 at-bats, but Ryan McMahon finally snapped his 0-for-35 streak, the longest hitless streak in franchise history. Leading off the top of the seventh, McMahon clubbed a belt-high fastball from Verlander 400 feet to dead center field to get the Rockies back within a run. It was his third home run of the season and first since April 9 at Coors Field against the Milwaukee Brewers. McMahon has had a rough time lately, and hopefully this can jumpstart his bat after going 1-for-3 with a walk.

Clutch hitting

Following McMahon’s home run, the Rockies managed to get after Camilo Doval, who typically pitches in the ninth. Brenton Doyle had a one-out knock and stole second base, coming around to score on a Jordan Beck double to tie the game 3-3. Hunter Goodman then laced a single to right field to score Beck and give the Rockies the lead.

The Rockies ended up going 3-for-5 with runners in scoring position while striking out just six times and drawing a pair of walks.

Ayo Trejo!

A notable shoutout can be given to Alan Trejo, who has stepped in admirably in his return to the Rockies. He went 2-for-4 in the game, coming around to score his team’s first run in the third after he doubled. He sailed a ball deep to center field that would have given the Rockies an insurance run in the ninth and likely would have been his first triple, but Yastrzemski tracked it down.

Goodman canon

Goodman delivered a key hit for the Rockies, but he also delivered a key throw from behind the plate. Flores led off the eighth with a single and was replaced by pinch runner Brett Wisley. With one out, he took off for second, and Goodman delivered a pinpoint throw to Trejo at second to get the out. It became more notable because of the single that followed by Yastrzemski as he was then stranded at first base.

Bullpen lockdown

Beyond Freeland, the bullpen continued its excellent string of appearances. Angel Chivilli allowed one hit over 1 ¹⁄₃ innings , followed by a scoreless ²⁄₃ of an inning by Scott Alexander. Zach Agnos recorded his second big league save in as many days with a spotless ninth.

Up next

The Rockies and Giants will square up for Game 2 on Friday night at 8:15 p.m. MDT. Antonio Senzatela will take the pill for the Rockies while Robbie Ray takes the mound for the Giants.

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