This is your Colorado Rockies Mile High Sports Report for the week of May 8-14.

This Week

The Rox went 3-3, winning the series in Pittsburgh against the Pirates and losing back at home against the Phillies. They are 17-24 on the season and are in last place in the National League West.

They got off to a 7-2 start in May, which was tied for the best mark in baseball before cooling off over these last two series. Colorado went 9-20 in April, their worst record in that month in franchise history.

Connor Seabold got the first win of his career on Tuesday, pitching five innings with one earned run.

The Rockies needed that good news from their pitching depth considering it continues to be tested. Antonio Senzatela had to be removed from just his second outing back after a long stint on the IL from a torn ACL and is expected to miss at least a few weeks with a right elbow strain. 

Then on Saturday in an incredibly scary moment, Ryan Feltner was struck in the head by a line drive and had to be transported to the hospital with a skull fracture and a concussion.

We were told by manager Bud Black that doctors are optimistic on a full recovery but there is currently no timetable for his return.

In the meantime, the Rockies picked up veteran pitcher Chase Anderson and graduated former first round pick Riley Pint to MLB. We should expect to see more of these types of moves as they continue to shuffle their roster after a sea of injuries. 

History in the Making

With his win on Sunday afternoon, Kyle Freeland tied Pedro Astacio and Jon Gray for seventh on the Rockies all time list at 53. 

On Monday, Catcher Elias Díaz recorded his first and tied a franchise-record by throwing out three would-be base stealers. The last Rockie catcher to throw out three in a game was Yorvit Torrealba on April 25, 2008 at Dodger Stadium. Díaz is tied for first in the Majors with nine catcher caught stealings.

Friday against the Phils, in the bottom of the seventh off of Matt Strahm, Charlie Blackmon recorded the 37th sacrifice fly of his career, moving him into a tie with Larry Walker and Troy Tulowitzi for sixth most in Rockies history. He needs two more to catch Carlos Gonzalez for fifth place. Todd Helton has a comfortable hold on first place with 93. Nolan Arenado is in second at 50.

Randal Grichuk hit safely in each of his first seven games since coming off the IL, including multiple hits four times It was the seventh time in franchise history that a Rockies player has begun his season with three-straight multi-hit games, the first time since Mark Reynolds did so April 3-5, 2017. Grinch is currently hitting a spicy .349/.417/.512 over 11 games.

Brent Suter’s 1.17 ERA is the third-lowest in the Majors and the third-lowest through a pitcher’s first 15 games (min. 15 IP) to begin their Rockies career, trailing Chuck McElroy’s 0.55 ERA in 1998 and Jose Mesa’s 0.60 ERA in 2006.

Jurickson Profar is currently sporting a 25-game on-base streak

This Week In Rockies History

May 8, 1994: The Rockies won their first 1-0 game in franchise history, beating the Padres at Jack Murphy Stadium. The Rockies scored their run in the top of the 9th on a bases loaded walk by Mike Kingery, scoring Eric Young. David Nied tossed eight scoreless innings with Steve Reed notching the save.

May 9, 2001: Mike Hampton threw the eighth complete game shutout of his career (nine overall) and his only as a member of the Rockies in a 6-0 win over the New York Mets at Coors Field.

May 10,1993: Charlie Hayes was ejected in the sixth inning, arguing a safe call on a Barry Bonds triple. It was the first ejection in franchise history. The Rockies and Phillies paid homage to this moment on Mother’s day.

May 12, 1993: Rockies Manager Bud Black made his first career start against the Rockies at Mile High Stadium as a member of the Giants. He pitched eight innings and allowed two runs on three hits with one walk and two strikeouts in an 8-3 win for the visitors.

May 13, 2003: In one of the largest comeback victories at Coors Field in franchise history, the Rockies overcame a 7-0 deficit to the Mets, scoring four runs in the seventh and five in the eighth to win 9-8. Center fielder Preston Wilson went 2-for-4 with three RBI. Wilson recorded a franchise record 91 RBI prior to the All-Star Break in 2003.

The Rockies are now 12-18 all-time on Mother’s Day with their last win (before Sunday) coming on May 12, 2019 vs. San Diego. Colorado is 5-7 all-time on Mother’s Day at Coors Field.

On May 15 2007, the Colorado Rockies were 16-23. They went on to win the National League.

Thank you to the Rockies Communications department for putting together daily notes and information where much of this research comes from. For everything Colorado sports make sure you’re following Mile High Sports and see you next week.