Rockies vs. Cubs: Rox offense can’t keep up in second straight series defeat

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The Rundown

The Rockies looked to bounce back in Wrigley after the offensive onslaught in Arizona to start the season. The Chicago cold seemed to rub off on the bats of the Rockies, as they were shut out by Cubs pitching in game one. Shoto Imanaga dazzled in his MLB debut, going six scoreless innings of two hit ball, striking out nine and taking a no hitter into the sixth.

Unsurprisingly, it was Charlie Blackmon who broke up the no-no with a single to center followed quickly by a Brendan Rodgers knock, but the Rockies failed to plate any runs in their mini rally. The Cubs broke through against starter Dakota Hudson in the bottom half of the inning, scoring three unearned runs on another Nolan Jones defensive gaffe. Chicago tacked on two more in the seventh, and the Rockies offense limped to the finish line for a 5-0 game one final.

Game two featured another Kyle Freeland "disasterclass", as the Rockies ace gave up seven runs in 3.1 innings. A balanced attack by the Cubs lineup brought their lead to 10-0 in the sixth following a Garrett Cooper three-run blast. The only sign of life from the Rockies offense came on Michael Toglia’s first home run of the season, and Colorado dropped game two by a score of 12-2.

Game three looked to be no different with the Cubs jumping out to a 5-0 lead following a Seiya Suzuki homer in the fifth. But this time around the Rox wouldn’t go down without a fight, plating two runs in the sixth after Kris Bryant’s first hit of the season, one in the seventh on a Blackmon double, and five in the eighth to tie the ballgame at 8-8. The five-run breakout was Colorado’s highest scoring inning of the season, culminating in an Ezequiel Tovar double to deep left center. Unfortunately, after the leadoff batter reached on a dropped third strike, Chicago was able to squeak out the go ahead run off of Nick Mears and Adbert Alzolay closed the door on the Rockies comeback attempt to finish out a thrilling 9-8 ballgame.

A 5⃣ spot pic.twitter.com/GB2r3q9xYB
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 4, 2024

The Positives

Although a heartbreaker for the Rox, the team showed fight and signs of life late in Wednesday’s game. Considering the way this season has started, posting a five-run inning in a game that seemed like a lost cause feels like progress.

Kris Bryant must have read my earlier article, as he broke out of his hitless streak to start the season with two hits in game three. Ryan McMahon continues to stay hot, and Michael Toglia’s first home run of the season was nice to see. Dakota Hudson did not give up an earned run in 5.1 innings of work in game one of the series, the best start so far this season from a troubled rotation. Victor Vodnik provided another clean outing, continuing to prove his ability to hold the multi-inning relief role. Jake Cave may be earning himself more at bats, sparking the late inning rally with his leadoff double.

The Negatives

Nolan Jones has struggled offensively so far but showed good signs with a few hard-hit balls on Wednesday. The defensive lapses, however, are inexcusable. He already has four errors on the season, and they have all been pretty bad. A dropped pop fly against the Diamondbacks and letting a ground ball single under his glove this series, totaled three poor errors for an incredibly talented defender.

I thought Tyler Kinley looked a little shaky in his first outing, and his second was a clunker. Three earned runs and two walks in 0.1 innings is less than ideal from a guy who was supposed to be our eighth inning man and maybe even a closer option. Things haven’t gotten any better for Anthony Molina yet, who gave up five more runs on Tuesday. Molina has given up 11 runs in 3.1 innings for a 29.00 ERA to start his career.

Coors Crown: Charlie Blackmon

Here’s a secret that Rockies fans didn’t know: Chuck Nazty rakes. For 13 years, Rockies fans have been fortunate enough to watch Charlie Blackmon put together great season after great season. A steady force in the Rox lineup for years, Blackmon has a career .296 batting average, over 200 home runs, and an OPS well over .800. At age 37, he continues to hit, going 7-13 for a cool .538 batting average this series.

Rockies Rocky: Kyle Freeland (2)

If it weren’t for Kris Bryant’s two hit game and Nolan Jones exit velocities in game three, this could have easily gone to one of them. But, for the second time in a row, Kyle Freeland has earned this dubious honor. Freeland turned in another tough outing, giving up seven runs on nine hits in 3.1 innings on Tuesday

The Rockies expected big things from Freeland this season, hoping he would be the rotation’s steady leader, and instead he has pitched to a 27.00 ERA in just 5.2 innings across his first two starts. On the bright side, it can only go up from here for Kyle, who has proved over his career that he can be a consistent innings eater and provide a sense of stability to an ever-changing Rockies rotation.

(Author's Note: For a bit of fun this 2024 season, we will tally these to see which Rockies receive the most Coors Crowns and Rockiest Rockys)

Stat Pack:

Offensive Highlights

Ryan McMahon: 3-10 (series); .375 AVG, .865 OPS (season totals)

Ezequiel Tovar: 2-10; .208 AVG, 3 RBI

Brenton Doyle: 2-11; .250 AVG, .725 OPS

Michael Toglia: 1-9; .154 AVG, 1 HR

Pitching Highlights

Victor Vodnik: 1.2 IP, 0 ER (series); 0.00 ERA, 5.2 IP, 6 K (season totals)

Nick Mears: 1.2 IP, 1 ER; 2.45 ERA, 3.2 IP, 5 K

Cal Quantrill: 4 IP, 4 ER; 9.00 ERA, 9 IP, 4 K

Dakota Hudson: 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 K

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