The road to redemption can be a difficult one and for Kyle Freeland and the Colorado Rockies, handing the Arizona Diamondbacks their fifth consecutive loss by a score of 7-5 was a step in the right direction.

After struggling in his first two outings of the year, Freeland turned in a more serviceable outing that looked much better than his final line in the box score indicated. Over five innings, Freeland allowed four runs, two earned, on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts. While not the crispest outing, Freeland showed remarkable improvement from his previous starts and dropped down to a 16.03 ERA. He threw 93 pitches, 59 for strikes, while inducing seven groundouts against six flyouts. While it was a crucial and welcome sight for both Freeland and the Rockies, the offense would play the hero on the night.

Facing off against Cy Young award candidate Zac Gallen, the Diamondbacks ace looked every bit the part. Over five innings he struck out 10 batters and didn’t issue a single walk, but the Rockies managed to scratch across three runs on eight hits and chased him from the game on 108 pitches. The Rockies got off to a strong start in the first inning when Charlie Blackmon, who went 2-for-4 on the night with a home run, led off with the 65th triple of his big league career, the most in Rockies history. He then scored on a single from Ezequiel Tovar to make it a 1-0 game and snap a 16-game streak in which the Rockies had failed to score first. For Gallen it was the first RBI surrendered to a right-handed batter this season.

Rox score first! pic.twitter.com/grFYeG9mPy

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 9, 2024

However, the Diamondbacks would finally crack through in the fourth inning in what could have been another deflating moment for the Rockies. After Christian Walker singled and Eugenio Suarez walked, catcher Gabriel Moreno hit a fly ball to right field that was caught by Kris Bryant and allowed Walker to move up 90 feet. Former Rockie Randal Grichuk then tied the game with a sacrifice fly to deep left field that Nolan Jones was able to track down.

The Diamondbacks then got back-to-back singles from Blaze Alexander and Kevin Newman to score Suarez and give the Diamondbacks a 2-1 lead with two outs. Ketel Marte then chopped a grounder to third base that forced Ryan McMahon to take a few steps back, but the top spin on the ball ricocheted off McMahon’s glove and bounced into shallow left field, allowing both Alexander and Newman to score and make it a 4-1 ballgame. Visually upset and frustrated, Freeland snagged a comebacker from Corbin Carroll and fired a bullet to first base to retire the side.

In previous games this season, it would be easy to assume that the Rockies would be unable to overcome the faults of their own demise, but they once again displayed an offense trend that has benefited them in their past four games. The Rockies began the inning with four straight singles, capped off by both Bryant and Jones driving in a pair of runs to make it a one-run game.

KB and NoJo put us within ☝️ pic.twitter.com/TyvYGEKQqd

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 9, 2024

A decisive sixth inning against the Diamondbacks’ bullpen would prove to be the difference. After chasing Gallen from the game, the Rockies managed to rally against reliever Scot McGough for three runs on two hits in 2/3 of an inning. Jones led the inning off with a walk, followed by a single from Brendan Rodgers, which led to a sacrifice fly off the bat of Elehuris Montero to tie the game 4-4. Brenton Doyle would then hit a double and Blackmon drew a walk to load the bases with one out. After Tovar popped out, the Diamondbacks turned to Joe Mantiply to face McMahon. Looking to redeem himself further from his error in the fourth inning, McMahon slapped a single to drive in a run and keep the bases loaded for Elias Diaz who then drew a walk to score another run and make it a 6-4 Rockies lead. The Rockies had a chance to do more damage with the bases loaded, but Bryant bounced into an inning-ending fielder’s choice.

👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/J73XXZvl8S

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 9, 2024

For the most part, the Rockies’ bullpen turned in an excellent night. Peter Lambert earned his second victory of the season after tossing a pair of scoreless innings followed by Justin Lawrence getting a breather and tossing a scoreless eighth inning. Nick Mears, who has had a strong start to the season, struggled in the bottom of the ninth after allowing one run on one hit and issuing three walks while recording just two outs before Jake Bird locked down the save.

Luckily for the Rockies, they had an insurance run thanks to Blackmon’s first home of the year that came in the eighth inning off of reliever Luis Frías.

CHUCK NAZTY ‼️ pic.twitter.com/CyexOOY5Vf

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 9, 2024

On the night the Rockies pounded out 13 hits, going 4-for-12 with runners in scoring position. They struck out 14 times against three walks and had three extra-base hits. The Diamondbacks had opportunities, leaving nine men on base while striking out six times against seven walks.

Up next

Cal Quantrill makes his debut at Coors Field for the Rockies and will face off against Merrill Kelly. Quantrill has turned in some solid outings but looks to harness his command to continue the trend of decent starting pitching the Rockies have enjoyed during the homestand.