Rangers 2, Rockies 1: One pitch spoils Dollander's gem
It was a true Wild West duel in Arlington tonight, and the Rockies nearly won. But, as we know, 'close only counts in horseshoes' and the Rockies, unfortunately, play baseball and not horseshoes and they fell 2-1 in Warren Schaeffer's managerial debut.
Dealin' Dollander
Chase Dollander had a special night, even if it ended on a sour note. The rookie right-hander absolutely cruised through five innings, He gave up a leadoff walk to Evan Carter, but then sent down 15-straight Rangers on (##) pitches before allowing another walk to Tucker Barnhart in the sixth. That fell just short of Germán Márquez's rookie outing of 16-straight back in 2017 against the Washington Nationals.
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Ezequiel Duran then grounded into a force out at second (Barnhart) and Carter struck out swinging on four pitches, but the extra baserunner proved costly as Wyatt Langford hit a two-run homer to put the Rangers up 2-1. Dollander then walked Joc Pederson, but then struck out Adolis García on three-straight pitches up in the zone (two fastballs and a curveball).
In total, Dollander pitched six innings, allowing two runs on just the one hit with seven strikeouts and three walks. He three 85 pitches, 49 for strikes.
Hunter is good, man
After falling a single short of the cycle yesterday, Hunter Goodman kept up his hot streak in today's game. In the second inning, he got that elusive single to lead off the inning and was balked over by Tyler Mahle (only the fourth balk in his career!). Goodman then rounded home after Nick Martini singled to right to put the Rockies up 1-0. They might not have won Schaeffer's managerial debut, but they did score first!
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He struck out swinging in the fourth, but doubled in the seventh and was knocked to third by a Sean Bouchard flyout. In total, Goodman went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a strikeout (the only Rockie to record multiple hits) and continued his five-game hitting streak.
Might the youngster be one to watch for the Midsummer Classic in July?
So close, and yet so far!
As was said in Ted Lasso, 'it's the hope that kills you.' The Rockies had a chance to take back the game in the ninth, but unfortunately squandered it.
To kick things off, Ryan McMahon singled on a deflected line drive to reach base first. Luke Jackson, who was hit by the pitch on the hand, was then lifted in favor of Jacob Webb. Goodman grounded into a force out at second, so he was then the man on first base instead of McMahon. Michael Toglia singled to advance Goodman, and then was replaced by pinch runner Owen Miller. Bouchard then walked to load the bases, but Kyle Farmer grounded into a double play to end the threat and the game.
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Sure, they lost again and fall to 7-34 on the season, but it had more energy to it than we've seen recently. Even when they were down after the Langford homer, it didn't feel quite as dire. We'll see how they play tomorrow.
Up Next
The Rockies and Rangers will do-si-do a second time tomorrow. Kyle Freeland (0-5, 5.41 ERA) will face Rangers righty Jack Leiter (2-2, 5.09 ERA). First pitch is at 6:05pm MT.
See you then!
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Axios
an hour ago
- Axios
Rockies off to a historically bad start
Maybe there should be some crying in baseball. Zoom in: The Colorado Rockies are chasing the wrong kind of history again. An abysmal 6-28 start this season is giving way to a historic turn, as the Rockies contend for the worst MLB start in 125 years, according to an NBC News analysis of sports data dating back to 1901. Threat level: At this rate, NBC projects the team will win its 10th game by Memorial Day weekend — roughly three weeks away. Context: A start this bad has been accomplished twice — by the 1904 Washington Senators and the 1932 Boston Red Sox, NBC reports.
