How the Colorado Rockies offense (and pitching) heated up in the freezing, cold snow

The Colorado Rockies swept the Houston Astros in a two-game mini-series at Coors Field this week. It’s always satisfying to watch the Rockies take home a sweep.

The fact that the sweep was against the Astros just makes it that much sweeter. Colorado’s unpredictable weather gave a nice cold welcome to the Astros with a temperature that didn’t reach 40 degrees for either game of the series.

The weather wasn’t the only thing cold at the start of game one for the Colorado Rockies.

Both teams started out quiet at the plate. Each team recorded no hits until the fourth and no runs until the sixth when Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, hit a double and drove in Michael Brantley. The Rockies responded in the bottom of the sixth with a double from first baseman C.J. Cron, which drove Trevor Story and Charlie Blackmon to home plate for the 2-1 lead.

The Rox continued to extend their lead through the seventh and eighth innings. Catcher, Dom Nunez hit a homer in the bottom of the seventh, his fourth of the season.

Cron sealed the deal when he crushed a 3-run-homer into left field, giving the Rox a 6-1 lead in the bottom of the eighth. Astros were able to put up one more run in the top of the ninth but ultimately couldn’t overcome the deficit to be within reach of a comeback.

Hitting wasn’t the Rockies’ only notable positive from game one.

Starting pitcher, Jon Gray struck out six through 6.2 innings, allowing only three hits, but walked four. Gray finished the day with a 2.42 ERA. The Rockies bullpen consisted of Yency Almonte (0.1 IP), Mychal Givens, and Robert Stephenson who tossed for an inning apiece. The pen collectively only allowed two hits and one run.

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April (Snow) Showers Bring May Flowers

Even though the snow was falling for a good portion of game two, the Rockies heated up quickly.

Shortstop Trevor Story hit a line drive to left field and knocked in Raimel Tapia and Ryan McMahon. In the second inning, the Astros responded with a two-run homer to take a 2-1 lead. But not for long.

Outfielder Yonathan Daza and Dom Nunez both homered, giving the Rox a 4-2 lead. Both teams were relatively quiet at the plate from the third until the sixth when the Rockies tacked on another two runs to their lead. The Astros again put up another ninth-inning run, but ultimately fell to the Rockies 6-3.

Starting pitcher Austin Gomber tossed well from the mound, striking out six through six and allowing two hits and two runs. Gomber finished the day with a 3.38 ERA. Out of the bullpen, Robert Stephenson gave up one hit and logged one strikeout.

Almonte gave up no hits but earned no K’s in the eighth. Daniel Bard closed the game by giving up two hits and one run in the ninth. The Rockies bullpen didn’t look nearly as sharp as we would like, but thankfully they were able to get the job done.

The Rockies celebrate their sweep and will enjoy a well-deserved off day today as they get ready for the Philadelphia Phillies to come to town for a three-game weekend homestand as the Rockies embark upon playing 36 games in 38 days, leading up to Memorial Day.