Rockies showcased their versatile and aggressive style in first series win of 2026

It's inevitable that the Rockies will need to find ways to score runs, especially against quality pitching and on the road.

Wednesday's afternoon game was a continuation of their road woes, as Colorado was shut down by Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman. Gausman pitched six innings, allowing only two hits and recording ten strikeouts. He and fellow Colorado native Kyle Freeland put on quite the show.

Colorado's starting rotation and bullpen have performed well this season, keeping the team well within games. Despite a 2-4 record, they boast a +3 run differential, having lost three of their four games by a single run.

Manager Warren Schaeffer stated the team aims to be more aggressive on the base paths this season, capitalizing on their speed and versatility. The top of the eighth inning served as a key example of this approach.

Kyle Karros was hit by a pitch to start the eighth inning, and Schaeffer responded by substituting in Jake McCarthy as a pinch runner. This strategy enabled Colorado to score, as Troy Johnston, batting leadoff and going 2-for-4, drove in McCarthy with an RBI single to left field, tying the game at one.

Here's where Colorado fumbled their opportunity to take the lead initially.

Troy Johnston stole second base, forcing Tommy Nance to step off and throw. However, the throw moved Andres Gimenez off the base, enabling Johnston to dive in safely. Colorado had runners on the corners with one out after Willi Castro walked, but Ezequiel Tovar and Ryan Ritter both struck out swinging. 

The Rockies were 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position, but one of those at-bats proved crucial.

Colorado went with pinch hitter Tyler Freeman, who was recently activated from the 10-day IL due to lower back pain, and he delivered a key single up the middle, giving Colorado a 2-1 lead in extra innings that proved to be the difference maker.

Regarding versatility, Colorado used their entire bench except for one player, TJ Rumfield, who was given the day off. By my count, there were at least nine different position changes throughout the game, though I could be mistaken.

This will likely be a recurring theme for the Rockies this season, and it proved beneficial in their first series win of 2026.