Colorado Rockies vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Highs, lows, and history

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TORONTO – APRIL 9: Roy Halladay #32 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the game at Rogers Centre on April 9, 2005 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays defeated the Red Sox 12-5. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images) /

As we begin a series of flashbacks about the Colorado Rockies and their series with American League teams, we dive into some of the Rockies’ history with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Colorado Rockies and Toronto Blue Jays have met on the diamond 21 times, with Toronto holding an 11-10 series edge. The series has been very one-sided for the home team, with Toronto going 9-0 against the Rockies in Canada, while Colorado is 10-2 against the Blue Jays in Denver.

Let’s first take a look at some of the games that have happened north of the border.

More from Colorado Rockies History

Colorado and Toronto first met in June of 2002 in a three-game series at SkyDome. The Blue Jays won the opener of the series 8-0 behind a two-hit complete game shutout by Colorado native Roy Halladay. The Blue Jays would win the final game of the series to complete the sweep by rallying for two runs in the bottom of the ninth off Rockies reliever Jose Jimenez.

The Rockies would also suffer a walkoff loss in Toronto on June 22, 2007. After scoring two runs in the top of the 10th to take an 8-6 lead, the Blue Jays scored three times against Brian Fuentes, with John McDonald‘s bases-loaded single and Chris Iannetta‘s throwing error bringing in all three runners to secure the win.

Colorado last visited Toronto in June of 2013.

Now let’s look at some of the memorable moments when the Blue Jays have paid a visit to Denver.

DENVER, CO – JUNE 29: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies shares a laugh with former teammate Troy Tulowitzki #2 of the Toronto Blue Jays during the ninth inning at Coors Field on June 29, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The Blue Jays defeated the Rockies 5-3. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

The Blue Jays last visited Colorado in June of 2019, with the Rockies outscoring Toronto 22-9 to earn the three-game sweep. The 5-1 win on Sunday was Colorado’s eighth consecutive victory, marking what would be a season-high for the Rockies during a 71-91 campaign.

In that game, Chris Iannetta had a double and home run, while Nolan Arenado belted his 16th home run of the season off Toronto reliever Justin Shafer to help the Rockies move to 31-27 on the season.

Much of the focus of Toronto’s late June 2016 visit to Coors Field centered around the return of Troy Tulowitzki to Colorado. The five-time All-Star was dealt to Toronto just before the 2015 trade deadline in what has become a much-discussed swap. The trade also happened while the Rockies were on the road, so Tulo’s return to Denver was a chance for the fans to thank him for his play in a Colorado uniform.

Toronto took two of three games from the Rockies during that series. Included in there was a 14-9 slugfest that saw Tulowitzki hit a solo homer off Colorado starter Eddie Butler.

For Rockies fans, Colorado pitchers on that day were Butler, Yohan Flande, Justin Miller, Chad Qualls, and Jason Motte. Now there’s a trip down memory lane.

What about some other moments involving the two franchises? Let’s take a look.

DENVER, CO – MAY 12: Seunghwan Oh #18 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on May 12, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Of course, Toronto and Colorado will always be linked together because of the Tulowitzki trade. However, there was another trade in 2018 that made a big difference for the Rockies as they made a postseason push.

Toronto dealt relief pitcher Seunghwan Oh to the Rockies on July 26, 2018, in exchange for minor leaguers Chad Spanberger, Forrest Wall, and Bryan Baker. In 25 regular-season games with Colorado in 2018, Oh would post a 2.53 ERA covering 21.1 innings, allowing 15 hits and 24 strikeouts.

The Rockies also traded catcher Miguel Olivo to Toronto in November of 2010 as part of a conditional deal after exercising his 2011 option. Olivo played just one season for the Rockies but he never saw action in a Jays uniform as he was granted free agency.

Next. Arguing over which of these games is the best-pitched outing in Rockies history. dark

Olivo signed later that offseason with the Seattle Mariners where he had the longest stint (four years) of his 13-year big league career.

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As we begin a series of flashbacks about the Colorado Rockies and their series with American League teams, we dive into some of the Rockies’ history with the Toronto Blue Jays.

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