The reigning National League champions dominantly opened the season over the Rockies as they rallied for 16 runs on 18 hits to earn a 16-1 victory to open the season. However, it was a third inning that told a different story for both teams in Thursday’s Opening Day matchup between the Colorado Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Diamondbacks got after Rockies starter Kyle Freeland early and often. After Ketel Marte led off the bottom of the first with a single, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. belted a 1-0 slider offering to the left field seats for a two-run home run to give the Snakes an early 2-0 lead.

OH MY LOURDES!!! pic.twitter.com/Iv4LAw8Dhf

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) March 29, 2024

The Rockies were quickly able to answer back in the top of second after Ryan McMahon, who went 2-for-2 with a pair of walks on the night, belted a double to center field to score Brendan Rodgers and make it a 2-1 ballgame.

Then the wheels came off.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Diamondbacks scored 14 runs on 13 hits against three Rockies pitchers as they sent 18 batters to the plate. The 14 runs scored in a single inning were the most scored by a team on Opening Day in the Modern Era (since 1900). It was also tied for the fourth-most runs scored by a team in an inning in the Modern Era. Coincidentally, those numbers also represent the most in all categories in a single inning in Rockies history. Every Diamondbacks starter had at least two hits, except for 2023 Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll who went 0-for-3 with a pair of walks.

All 13 hits from our record-breaking inning. 😅 pic.twitter.com/VQu9ziNYpp

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) March 29, 2024

Freeland struggled in his season debut, allowing 10 runs on 10 hits in 2 1/3 innings, ballooning his ERA to 38.57, a number that will take a while to bring down. Freeland noted in his postgame interview that he attributes his struggles to an inability to get the ball down the zone. He induced just two swing-and-misses on the night while leaving most pitches up and over the middle of the plate.

#Rockies Kyle Freeland after tough night vs. #Dbacks pic.twitter.com/WtW1wdNsNL

— Patrick Saunders (@psaundersdp) March 29, 2024

#Rockies Bud Black on Kyle Freeland’s struggles in season opener. pic.twitter.com/fkjsviXSG2

— Patrick Saunders (@psaundersdp) March 29, 2024

Anthony Molina, the Rockies Rule-5 pick from the Tampa Bay Rays, had an MLB debut to forget as he entered with one out in the third inning. Molina, whose arm potential has the Rockies intrigued, struggled to get a single out, allowing six runs on six hits to start his career with a 162.00 ERA.

Fortunately enough, the Rockies bullpen would restore order as the trio of Jalen Beeks (2 1/3 IP), Victor Vodnik (2 IP) and Nick Mears (1 IP) combined for five shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out seven.

Zac Gallen (1-0, 1.80 ERA) and the Diamondbacks bullpen stifled the Rockies offense. Gallen tossed five innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out three against two walks. Four relievers combined to allow just one hit while striking out three and allowing one walk.

Up Next

Cal Quantrill, acquired from the Cleveland Guardians, will take the mound to make his Rockies debut and look to right the ship after a disastrous first game of the season for Colorado. He’ll face Merrill Kelly who is beginning his sixth year with the Diamondbacks.

First pitch is schedule for 7:40 PM MDT.