Few things are more beautiful than Opening Day at Coors Field as a sellout crowd filled the stadium to enjoy beautiful weather and was treated to a dramatic 10-7 Rockies victory courtesy of a Ryan McMahon walk-off grand slam.

On the first pitch of the at-bat with one out in the bottom of the ninth trailing by one, McMahon unloaded on a 78.8 mph sweeper with a 102.5 mph exit velocity to give the Rockies the victory.

The Rockies entered the game having struggled to a 1-6 record on the road, plagued by a league-worst ERA and a -34 run differential, while also struggling at the plate. While the road has always been a struggle, there is always something about the comforts of home that can do wonders for a baseball team.

We never get tired of an Opening Day flyover 🤩 pic.twitter.com/kE8XqxD3jV

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 5, 2024

Austin Gomber entered the game with a 7.71 ERA, having allowed four runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks in his first start of the year. His first inning was a living example of the struggles that Rockies starting pitchers have dealt with to begin the season. Gomber threw 41 pitches in the first inning, surrendering a couple of singles and a pair of walks. With two men on and one out, Gomber lost a lengthy nine-pitch at-bat against Isaac Paredes who singled to center field to give Tampa Bay a 1-0 score, but Gomber managed to escape the inning having allowed just one run thanks in part to two strikeouts.

The Rockies managed to answer back, scoring in the first inning for the first time this season after Brendan Rodgers and Nolan Jones hit back-to-back doubles to tie the game at 1-1.

Double trouble 🤭 pic.twitter.com/CB6i0MYBNi

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 5, 2024

Despite the laborsome first inning, Gomber was able to right the ship against a struggling Rays lineup to navigate four innings. A Yandy Díaz single to score Jose Siri in the second inning was the only other run surrendered by Gomber as he allowed two runs on four hits in four innings. As has been the case, walks became troublesome as both runs that scored reached base via leadoff walks. In total, he issued three walks but managed to record seven strikeouts, a promising sign of what Gomber can do when he can utilize his command.

Once again, it would be the sixth inning that would prove lucky for the Rockies. Jones, who struggled to begin the season on both sides of the ball, was crucial to the victory as part of a 2-for-3 afternoon, led the inning off with a single against reliever Colin Poche. McMahon continued his strong start to the season with a long double to right field to put runners on second and third with one out to set up an RBI situation for catcher Elias Díaz. On a 3-1 pitch, Díaz lofted a ball to center field, upon which Jones tagged up and narrowly beat an offline throw from Siri to tie the game at 2-2.

Díaz ties it up 👏 pic.twitter.com/SRgRhtPZ3I

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 5, 2024

Carrying momentum over from a key double during Wednesday night’s loss, 22-year-old shortstop Ezequiel Tovar launched an 88 mph slider on the inside 420 feet to left field for his second home run of the year to give the Rockies a 4-2 lead. After signing a seven-year extension before the start of the season, the Rockies are relying heavily on the development of Tovar and his aggressive approach to continue to provide big hits.

Ezequiel Tovar puts the @Rockies ahead in their home opener! pic.twitter.com/1VqnapkgsZ

— MLB (@MLB) April 5, 2024

The offense wasn’t done, however, as they tacked on two more in the eighth inning courtesy of Kris Bryant’s first home run of the season that landed in the UC Health Mitt in left field, resulting in a $5,000 donation to Next Chapter Colorado, an organization that supports veterans and their families in Colorado.

THE MITT HAS BEEN HIT!

Kris Bryant’s homer to the left field tunnel means @uchealth is donating $5,000 to @NextChapterColo to support veterans and their families in Colorado. pic.twitter.com/slqCDRD9nk

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 5, 2024

Leading 6-2 entering the ninth inning, the Rockies turned to Justin Lawrence to secure the victory. The bullpen has been a strong suit for the Rockies to begin the year. Peter Lambert, Jake Bird and Nick Mears combined for six strikeouts over four innings, allowing no runs on four hits in the game. Having not pitched since March 30, the rust was evident for Lawrence as he left too many pitches over the middle of the zone and the Rays took advantage. The Rays would rally for five runs on five hits against the sidearm reliever to take a 7-6 lead heading into the ninth.

However, the Rockies still weren’t done. Defensive replacement Jake Cave, Rodgers and Jones drew three consecutive walks against Peter Fairbanks who struggled to find the zone. Jason Adams would replace him to strike out Bryant on three straight offspeed pitches, setting the stage for McMahon’s walk-off grand slam. It was the third grand slam in Rockies history, joining Ryan Spilborghs in 2009 and Charlie Blackmon in 2020.

We will be dreaming about this one for a while!#Rockies x @denvermattress pic.twitter.com/Q5kyOkjayn

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 5, 2024

The Rockies offense tallied 12 hits, with four players having multi-hit games, including McMahon’s 3-for-5 performance. Despite 13 strikeouts, the Rays drew six walks and tallied 13 hits, including multi-hit performances from four players.

Up Next

Ryan Feltner (0-1, 5.40 ERA) takes his second turn on the mound. In his last outing against Arizona, he pitched five inning, striking out four while allowing three runs on five hits. The Rays have yet to announce a starter.