Colorado Rockies rally early, hang on to defeat Miami Marlins

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

If ever there was a night that the Colorado Rockies needed to get off to a hot start offensively, it was Wednesday night against the Miami Marlins. Put the following factors into whatever order you would like to best illustrate said importance:

• Jordan Lyles was pitching in place of Tyler Chatwood
• It was the third game of a road series in which the Rockies had scored a total of four runs
• The team was trying to avoid an 0-3 start to the season

And so it was truly refreshing to see the Rockies string together quality at-bats in the top of the first inning. On their way to six hits in the half inning, the Rockies’ hitters had line drives the other way, singles up the middle, and nice two-strike approaches. All told they were able to put up three runs, and it could have been many more if not for an inning ending double play off the bat of DJ LeMahieu. From there the Rockies were able to add three more runs, good enough for an eventual 6-5 victory, but the pitching staff made sure there was drama before a notch could be added to the victory column.

Jordan Lyles pitched admirably before handing the game over to the bullpen. A laser beam home run off the bat of Giancarlo Stanton was the main blemish and Lyles was ultimately charged with four runs over five innings of work.

The adventures came with the back of the bullpen and the pitchers designated to be the set-up man and closer. Rex Brothers issued two walks and wiggled off the hook in the 8th inning. LaTroy Hawkins then came on for the save and gave up two hits, a walk, a run, and a near walk-off home run to Stanton before finally putting the clamps down.

There is no need to overreact one direction or the other this early in the season, but this win felt important. It felt even more important after the team dashed out to an early lead. Not for lack of adventure or nervous moments, the Rockies are on the board for 2014.