Colorado Rockies morning after: Ryan Castellani’s first MLB win was an odd one

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 24: Starting pitcher Ryan Castellani #60 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on August 24, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 24: Starting pitcher Ryan Castellani #60 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on August 24, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 23: Charlie Blackmon #19 of the Colorado Rockies hits a base hit against pitcher Ross Stripling #68 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (not pictured) during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on August 23, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 23: Charlie Blackmon #19 of the Colorado Rockies hits a base hit against pitcher Ross Stripling #68 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (not pictured) during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on August 23, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Unlike most odd games that they play, the Colorado Rockies had a low-scoring game that was odd.

The Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks were both on extended losing streaks entering Monday and were in the bottom of the NL West standings (the Rockies were in a virtual tie for third with the Giants but only 1/2 a game up on the D’Backs, who were and still are in last).

Both teams were struggling on offense and struggling on the pitching front as well but the pitching prevailed as the Rockies won 3-2, getting Ryan Castellani his first MLB win.

However, it was low-scoring, unlike most of their odd games, which usually are slugfests. It was odd even before the game started.

A late scratch from the Rockies lineup

First off, the Rockies scratched their right fielder Charlie Blackmon from the starting lineup and replaced him with Garrett Hampson (Sam Hilliard moved from center field to right field and Hampson played center). He was scratched with left quad tightness.

After the game, Rockies manager Bud Black told the media via Zoom that Blackmon “tweaked” the quad at Dodger Stadium on this play at first base. Black said that as the team was leaving Los Angeles, it started “tightening up a little bit.” It loosened during the day on Monday but when he got to the ballpark, Black said that Blackmon’s quad “just wasn’t right.”

He said that he planned on giving Blackmon an off day any way during the series so they decided to scratch him on Monday. Black said that he was available for pinch-hitting duties on Monday but they “probably” would have put in a pinch-runner for him if he got on base.

Black said that he “would like to think that he will be in but if he’s not, don’t be surprised but it shouldn’t be a lingering thing for Charlie.”

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