The Colorado Rockies defeated the New York Mets Thursday afternoon, 6-4. The win marked the third consecutive victory for the Rockies who are now 37-38 on the season and 14-20 at home.
The Mets plated a run in the first inning, as they did in every game of the series, via a solo home run from Todd Frazier. However, the Rockies went on to take the lead in the bottom half of the inning which began with DJ LeMahieu hitting a double to deep right-center field. Charlie Blackmon then proceeded to get hit by a pitch to give the Rockies two base runners with slugger Arneado due up. Arenado went on to belt a three-run home run to left field to give Colorado an early 3-1 advantage.
The second inning was more of the same for Colorado as both LeMahiue and Blackmon reached base to once again set the table for Arenado. Arenado worked Mets’ starting pitcher Steven Matz to a 2-2 count before hitting a double to deep right field, scoring two runs and extending Colorado’s lead to 5-1.
The Mets managed to push a run across in the third inning when Brandon Nimmo, a Wyoming product, hit an RBI single to center field to score Amed Rosario who had reached base on an infield single to start the inning.
From there, the game entered cruise control for the most part for Colorado as Rockies’ starting pitcher Kyle Freeland was able to buckle down and deliver six sharp innings on the mound. Freeland finished with a line of six innings pitched, allowing two runs on two hits while walking four batters and striking out the same amount.
Colorado’s bullpen was also strong for the most part in relief of Freeland. Youngsters Jeff Hoffman and Yency Almonte, who made his MLB debut Thursday, each were clean in their respective outings.
The Mets scored another run in the eighth inning off the bat of Wilmar Flores who hit a sacrifice fly. The run was charged to Chris Rusin who worked just 0.1 innings in the game.
Colorado also added a run via a sacrifice fly hit by Gerardo Parra in the bottom half of the eighth inning.
The Mets pressed the Rockies again in the ninth inning when Jake McGee coughed up a run and allowed the tieing run to come to the plate, although he managed to buckle down and solidify the win for Colorado.
Thursday’s win was one of the more complete victories for the Rockies this season and a great way to end a four-game series on a strong note.
The Rockies will welcome the Miami Marlins to town starting Friday for a three-game set with first pitch set for 6:40 MST.
